Oct 13, 2025

8 facts about the new Nobel Peace Prize laureate

Aanya Mehta

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate (2025)

María Corina Machado was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.

Source: wikimedia commons

Advocate for Democratic Transition

Machado has been a steadfast advocate for a peaceful transition to democracy in Venezuela, opposing the militarization of society and promoting unity among the opposition.

Source: wikimedia commons

Born in Caracas, Venezuela

Born on October 7, 1967, in Caracas, Machado is a trained industrial engineer and a prominent opposition leader in Venezuela.

Source: wikimedia commons

Disqualified from 2024 Presidential Election

Despite winning the opposition primary in 2023, Machado was barred from running in the 2024 presidential election by the Venezuelan government, citing alleged administrative irregularities.

Source: wikimedia commons

Founder of Súmate

In 2002, Machado co-founded Súmate, a civic organization dedicated to promoting electoral transparency and democratic participation in Venezuela.

Source: wikimedia commons

Leader of Vente Venezuela

Machado is the National Coordinator of Vente Venezuela, a political party advocating for liberal economic reforms and democratic governance.

Source: wikimedia commons

Recipient of the 2024 Sakharov Prize

In 2024, Machado, alongside Edmundo González Urrutia, was awarded the European Parliament's Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in recognition of their efforts to restore democracy in Venezuela.

Source: wikimedia commons

Symbol of Resistance

These are eight facts you probably didn't know about the new Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

Source: wikimedia commons

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