Venezuelan politician Marina Curino Machado won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her relentless advocacy of democratic rights in her country.
The Swedish Academy announced her name during the annual Nobel Prize ceremony in Stockholm.
Machado challenged authoritarian rule in Venezuela for over a decade. She organized peaceful protests, mobilized civil society, and pushed for electoral reforms. Her efforts inspired a generation of activists across Latin America.
The Nobel Committee praised her “courageous leadership and commitment to democratic values.” She receives 11 million Swedish kronor, a gold medal, and a diploma. The Peace Prize remains the most watched among the six Nobel categories.
Machado said, “This award belongs to every Venezuelan who stood up for freedom. Democracy is not a gift—it’s a fight.”
Her recognition comes amid global debates on democratic erosion. The committee emphasized the importance of defending civil liberties in fragile states. Machado’s work highlights the role of grassroots movements in restoring democratic institutions.
Other Nobel winners this year include Mary E Brunkow and Shimon Sakaguchi for Medicine, Richard Robson for Chemistry, and Hungarian writer László Krasznahorkai for Literature.
Machado joins a prestigious list of Peace Prize laureates including Barack Obama, Malala Yousafzai, and Liu Xiaobo. Her win marks a turning point in Venezuela’s political narrative.
