The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Maria Corina Machado, a leading opposition figure and industrial engineer from Venezuela. She is recognized for her relentless dedication to defending democracy, opposing authoritarian rule, and advocating for human rights in her country.

Born on October 7, 1967, Machado founded the voting oversight group Súmate in 2002 and served as the national coordinator for the Vente Venezuela party. From 2011 to 2014, she was a member of Venezuela’s National Assembly. Her influence has been acknowledged globally, having been named among the BBC’s 100 Women in 2018 and Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2025.

Despite facing government restrictions, including a ban on leaving the country imposed by Nicolás Maduro’s regime, Machado remained steadfast in her activism. Although she won the opposition primary in 2024 for the presidential race, she was ultimately replaced as the final candidate. Her courageous stance against Maduro’s authoritarian government has earned her widespread respect internationally, including from the United States.

The announcement also dealt a blow to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s anticipated chances of winning the prize, as he had been considered a contender in recent days.

Last year, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Japan’s Nihon Hidankyo, an organization dedicated to advocating against nuclear weapons and representing the victims of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings.