Oslo, October 11, 2025 – The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado today at 11 AM IST, recognizing her “courageous fight for democracy and human rights” against Nicolás Maduro’s regime. Committee Chair Jørgen Watne Frydnes, announcing in Oslo around 2:30 PM local time, called it “vindication for exiled voices,” praising Machado’s role in 2024’s disputed elections where she claimed victory despite bans.
Machado, 57, exiled in Spain, accepted via video at noon: “This is for Venezuela’s 8 million voters silenced.” The prize, 11 million Swedish kronor (Rs 9 crore), highlights her party’s 60% poll win amid repression (500 arrests post-election). Global cheers: U.S. Secretary Blinken hailed it at 1 PM ET, while Maduro decried “imperialist meddling.”