Who Is Maria Corina Machado? Venezuela’s Pro-Democracy Leader Wins 2025 Nobel Peace Prize | World News

2025 Nobel Peace Prize winners: Maria Corina Machado is a Venezuelan opposition leader and democracy advocate who was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless efforts to promote democratic rights and ensure a peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy in Venezuela.

Born in Caracas in 1967, Machado studied industrial engineering and finance. In 1992, he founded the Atenea Foundation, which works to benefit street children in Caracas. Machado served as a member of the Venezuelan National Assembly from 2010 to 2015 and was elected with the highest number of votes among all candidates in that electoral contest. He is the National Coordinator of Vente Venezuela, a liberal political organization that he co-founded in 2013.

Advocacy and Challenges

Machado has been a leading critic of the Venezuelan government’s policies and has advocated for democratic reforms and human rights. Despite winning the opposition primary in 2024 with a landslide 92.35% of the vote, he was banned from participating in presidential elections by the Venezuelan regime. After this, he went into hiding due to threats against his life.

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International Recognition

Machado received the Nobel Peace Prize as well as other international awards for his advocacy work. He was previously awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought and the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize by the European Parliament.

Personal Life

Machado is a mother of three and remains a leading figure in Venezuela’s pro-democracy movement. His award of the Nobel Peace Prize underlined his unwavering commitment to democracy and human rights in Venezuela.