TGR | Washington, DC., 10 October 2025—
In the heart of Venezuela’s ongoing political crisis, conservative opposition leader Maria Machado has emerged as a fierce advocate against the authoritarian regime of Nicolás Maduro. She is also the recipient of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. A prominent figure in Venezuelan politics for over two decades, Machado’s career has been defined by her tireless fight for democracy, human rights, and the restoration of constitutional order in a country that has experienced unprecedented economic collapse, political repression, and social turmoil under Maduro’s rule.
Machado’s national prominence grew during the presidency of Hugo Chávez, the founder of the Bolivarian Revolution, which led to the establishment of an authoritarian socialist regime. While Chávez’s supporters hailed his policies as revolutionary and transformative, many others, including Machado, saw his presidency as a veiled dictatorship that undermined Venezuela’s democratic institutions.
In 2006, Machado became one of the founding members of Vente Venezuela, a far-right political movement focused on advocating for the restoration of Venezuela’s democratic values, the rule of law, and market-driven economic policies. Over the next few years, she became a vocal critic of the Chávez administration, particularly its growing tendency to centralize power and silence dissent. Machado’s opposition to Chávez reached its peak when, in 2010, she delivered a blistering critique of the Venezuelan government’s mismanagement of national resources, corruption, and human rights abuses.
When Chávez passed away in 2013, the country was thrust into a new chapter under the leadership of his successor, Nicolás Maduro, who quickly consolidated power and continued Chávez’s vision of a socialist state. Maduro’s presidency, however, was marked by severe economic mismanagement, rampant corruption, and widespread repression. As the country’s economy collapsed, with hyperinflation, skyrocketing poverty, and widespread shortages of food and medicine, Machado’s calls for reform became increasingly urgent.
The most defining moment in her opposition to Maduro came during the 2014 Venezuelan protests, which were sparked by widespread frustration over the country’s economic crisis and rampant violence. As millions of Venezuelans took to the streets demanding an end to Maduro’s dictatorship, Machado stood at the forefront of the movement, giving speeches that resonated with many young Venezuelans who were desperate for change.
During the protests, Machado was heavily involved in organizing demonstrations and advocating for international support. Her call for the end of the Maduro regime was clear: she demanded free and fair elections, the release of political prisoners, and an immediate end to government violence against protesters. As a result, Machado became a target of the Maduro government, which accused her of inciting violence and conspiring against the state. She faced charges of “conspiracy” and “treason” in connection with her participation in the protests. Despite these threats, Machado remained defiant, refusing to be silenced. She continued to call for international intervention, even military intervention, and support for the Venezuelan people, and she worked tirelessly to bring attention to the dire situation in her country.
In February 2021, Machado spoke at a UN high-level panel on human rights conditions in Venezuela, where she delivered a powerful address condemning the Maduro regime’s violations of human rights and its efforts to dismantle Venezuela’s democratic institutions. She called on the international community to stand firm against the dictatorship and to support the Venezuelan people’s right to self-determination.
In addition to her work at the international level, Machado has also been a staunch advocate for the rights of Venezuelan migrants and refugees, who have fled the country in the face of economic collapse and political persecution. With millions of Venezuelans living in exile, particularly in neighboring countries like Colombia, Machado has emphasized the need for international assistance and solidarity with the displaced population.
Machado was barred from running for the presidency in 2024, so she passed the baton to an ally, Edmundo Gonzales, who, by all accounts, won; however, Nicolás Maduro was controversially declared the winner. The election was widely condemned as fraudulent by both domestic and international observers. The election was marred by voter intimidation, restrictions on opposition candidates, and widespread irregularities. Machado continues to lead efforts to expose the illegitimacy of the Maduro regime and call for a transition to free and fair elections.
Maria Corina Machado was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her relentless efforts in advocating for democracy, human rights, and peaceful resistance against authoritarianism in Venezuela. Machado has been a tireless voice for the oppressed, challenging the regime of Nicolás Maduro while promoting international solidarity and support for Venezuelan citizens. The Nobel Committee recognized Machado’s unwavering commitment to peaceful political change, despite the overwhelming challenges posed by a repressive government. She is a beacon of hope in a region long marked by political turmoil.
Photo Credit: Tribute to Maria Corina Machado by Ateller Teee. Licensed under CC BY NC ND 2.0
Maria Machado, 2025 Nobel Peace Prize
