By Will Meigh, University of Birmingham
All opinions are those of their respective author, and are not indicative of the stance of EUPS.
To many, especially within the US administration, the announcement that US President Donald Trump did not win this year’s Nobel Peace Prize came as a shock. His public campaign for the award was interrupted when the less well-known candidate, Maria Corina Machado, won instead. Her work in promoting civil freedoms and democratic rule in Venezuela brought her to the attention of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. The organisation is responsible for selecting the nominees for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Over the past two decades, Maria has been committed to protecting Venezuelan democracy, something noticed by the NNC. She originally began her work in the early 2000s, focusing on human rights activism, as well as creating and working with various human rights NGOs. But it wouldn’t be until 2010 when she transitioned into Venezuelan politics, where she secured a seat in Venezuela’s National Assembly. However, after holding the position for only two years, she was barred from holding any form of public office, under a growing trend of political silencing in the country. This event prompted her to found the pro-democracy organisation, Vente Venezuela, that same year. Adding to the list of activist movements she has been a part of.
Fast forward to 2024, the Venezuelan Supreme Court upheld her ban on running for public office, preventing her from running in last year’s presidential election. A decision which again reaffirmed the political trend of institutional corruption and oppression in Venezuela under the incumbent President Nicolas Maduro. A leader who, last year, won his third electoral term under dubious and potentially fraudulent circumstances. Similarly, he’s been in power since 2013, acting dictatorially by silencing the freedom of political opposition like Machado, and by continuing to centralise power within this government. Thereby creates a political environment in Venezuela that strays further away from democratic rule. This is important because it means that Machado’s work is ever more impactful. Although she has been banned from office, she remains a symbol of political resistance, with her pro-democracy and anti-corruption rhetoric. As shown when she called for the Trump administration to prioritise action to destabilise Nicolas Maduro with economic sanctions.
There is a drawback, however, to the public persona Maria has. Over the years, has been subject to numerous abuses from the Venezuelan government, receiving various death threats as well as being forced into hiding for over a year. Similarly, her children have been forced to live abroad due to receiving threats and being at risk. These problems are an illustration of the continual challenges she faces by speaking out against authoritarianism.
All in all, it is important to acknowledge the impact of Maria receiving the prize. Her activism gained significant media attention from it such as Western media, like the BBC. Which has been dominated by headlines on Ukraine, Russia or the Israel-Gaza Conflict, but the recognition of her work has brought the issues in Venezuela into the spotlight. Hopefully, there can be a positive outcome to the political situation in Venezuela, especially with the recent developments in Western countries like the US and the UK. We need more political activism, like hers, to help voice the growing concerns around democratic backsliding. This could be on issues ranging from the public rhetoric of Reform UK, the excessive employment of ICE in the USA, and or the creeping growth of certain restrictions on political freedoms in the West. I find Machado’s acknowledgement an inspiration to stand up and look after political freedom. Whether it be the right to protest, freedom of speech or the rule of law. All of which should be protected in the same outward fashion that Machado has done.
Bibliography
The Nobel Prize, (2025), Maria Corina Machado: Facts. Available at Maria Corina Machado – Facts – 2025 – NobelPrize.org
BBC, (2025), Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado wins Nobel Peace Prize. Available at Nobel Peace Prize 2025: Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado wins – BBC News
AP News, (2025), Venezuela’s highest court upholds ban on opposition presidential candidate. Available at Venezuela’s highest court upholds ban on opposition presidential candidate | AP News
BBC, (2025) Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro: Dictator or defender of socialism? Available at Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro: Dictator or defender of socialism? – BBC News
