María Corina Machado Wins Nobel Peace Prize

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her struggle for democracy in Venezuela, a decision the Norwegian committee defended amid international debate. The award carries a prize of 11 million Swedish kronor and was presented as part of a focus on grassroots defenders amid democratic backsliding. President Donald Trump, who had publicly campaigned for the prize, said Machado called to accept the award 'in honour' of him, reiterated that he deserved the prize, and claimed credit for saving millions of lives; the White House criticized the committee for placing "politics over peace." Trump supporters immediately launched a push to nominate him for the 2026 prize, citing recent U.S.-led Gaza ceasefire and hostage-release diplomacy. Machado dedicated the prize to the Venezuelan people and acknowledged decisive international support, while commentators described the award as a rebuke to rising "strongmen" and highlighted deep international and domestic divisions.