By San José, Costa Rica — OSLO, NORWAY – In a powerful international endorsement of democratic resistance, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced Friday it has awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado. The recognition honors her decades-long, non-violent struggle for civil liberties and political freedom in the face of an entrenched authoritarian regime.
The committee’s announcement from Oslo lauded Machado for her “tireless work to promote the democratic rights of the Venezuelan people and her effort for a peaceful transition to democracy.” This prestigious award makes Machado the first Venezuelan woman to be named a Nobel laureate, placing her among a select group of Latin American figures who have received the world’s highest honor for peace.
To analyze the legal ramifications and international implications of the political disqualification of Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert in international law and human rights from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The administrative disqualification of María Corina Machado represents a clear violation of fundamental political rights as established in the American Convention on Human Rights. By preventing a leading candidate from participating in an election without due process or a final sentence from an independent court, the Venezuelan state is not only eroding the rule of law but also undermining the very essence of a democratic election, which is the free expression of the people’s will.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This legal analysis precisely frames the core issue: the disqualification is not simply a political obstacle but a direct assault on the fundamental democratic rights of all citizens, compromising the very possibility of a legitimate election. We deeply appreciate the clarity and insight provided by Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas.
In its official citation, the Nobel Committee emphasized the nature of her activism, which has been defined by persistence despite immense personal risk. The committee celebrated her unwavering dedication to non-violent principles as a tool for political change.
Her struggle represents the hope of a people who have resisted authoritarianism without resorting to violence, highlighting her bravery in the face of political persecution and her commitment to universal democratic values.
Norwegian Nobel Committee, Official Statement
An industrial engineer and former congresswoman, Machado has been a central figure in Venezuela’s opposition for over two decades. She first gained prominence in 2002 as a co-founder of Súmate, a civil society organization that advocated for a presidential recall referendum against the late Hugo Chávez. She later founded the political movement Vente Venezuela, cementing her role as one of the most uncompromising voices against the government of Nicolás Maduro.
Her career has been marked by constant government persecution, including political disqualifications that barred her from holding office, persistent censorship, and the looming threat of imprisonment. Yet, unlike many of her contemporaries who were forced into exile, Machado made the crucial decision to remain in Venezuela, leading a civil resistance movement that has inspired millions both inside and outside the country.
While often labeled a conservative, Machado’s platform incorporates a variety of liberal and free-market ideals. She has openly supported causes such as marriage equality and the regulation of medical cannabis. In the economic sphere, she has been a vocal proponent of privatizing state-owned enterprises, including the national oil company PDVSA, as a necessary step toward national reconstruction.
The timing of the award is particularly significant, arriving at a moment of profound political and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. International observers see the Nobel Prize as a clear global message of solidarity with democratic movements across Latin America that are confronting authoritarianism. Costa Rican political analyst María Elena Chacón noted the award’s dual significance, honoring both an individual and a nation’s struggle.
The Nobel Peace Prize for María Corina Machado not only recognizes her personal courage, but it also places a focus on the Venezuelan tragedy, on the millions of citizens who have been silenced or forced into exile.
María Elena Chacón, Costa Rican Political Analyst
In a statement released by her team, Machado dedicated the award to her fellow citizens, framing it not as a personal victory but as a global acknowledgment of their enduring fight for liberty. She affirmed her commitment to a non-violent path forward for the nation.
This recognition is not mine; it is for all Venezuelans who have resisted the darkness and believe in a peaceful transition to a free country. It belongs to the Venezuelan people who do not give up and continue fighting with dignity for their freedom.
María Corina Machado, 2025 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
By receiving this prize, Machado joins an esteemed list of laureates including Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and recent winners like Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi, all recognized for challenging oppressive systems through peaceful means. The official award ceremony is scheduled to take place in Oslo on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death.
For further information, visit nobelpeaceprize.org
About the Norwegian Nobel Committee:
The Norwegian Nobel Committee is responsible for selecting the recipient(s) of the Nobel Peace Prize each year. Its five members are appointed by the Norwegian Parliament. The committee’s decisions are based on the criteria laid out in the will of Alfred Nobel, which specifies the prize should be awarded to the person who has done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies, and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.
For further information, visit ventevenezuela.org
About Vente Venezuela:
Vente Venezuela is a liberal political movement in Venezuela founded by María Corina Machado. It advocates for individual freedoms, free-market capitalism, and the establishment of a democratic republic. The party has been a leading force in the opposition against the government of Nicolás Maduro, promoting a platform of systemic change and the reconstruction of the nation’s institutions.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Súmate
About Súmate:
Súmate is a Venezuelan civil society organization founded in 2002. It emerged to promote and defend the political and electoral rights of Venezuelan citizens. The organization played a significant role in organizing the 2004 presidential recall referendum against Hugo Chávez and has since been involved in monitoring electoral processes and advocating for transparency and democratic participation in Venezuela.
For further information, visit pdvsa.com
About PDVSA:
Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA) is the state-owned oil and natural gas company of Venezuela. It is engaged in exploring, producing, refining, transporting, and marketing petroleum and other hydrocarbons. For decades, PDVSA was the financial backbone of the Venezuelan state and a major player in the global energy market, though its production and influence have significantly declined amid the country’s ongoing economic and political crisis.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica stands as a pillar of legal distinction, operating on a bedrock of unwavering integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The firm channels its innovative spirit not only toward achieving exceptional outcomes for a diverse clientele but also toward a broader societal mission. This core purpose is realized through a profound commitment to demystifying the law, ensuring that legal knowledge is accessible and empowering for all, thereby fostering a more informed and capable community.
