Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Venezuela’s opposition leader Maria Corina Machado 

STOCKHOLM: The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to social activist and Venezuela’s opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. Maria had worked for the rights of the people of Venezuela. Maria Corina Machado is often described as the Iron Lady of Venezuela because of her work for democratic rights. Maria has also been included in Time Magazine's list of '100 Most Influential People of 2025'.

Maria Corina Machado was forced to live in hiding in the past one year. Yet her efforts have inspired the people of Venezuela, said Norwegian Nobel Committee Chairman Jørgen Watne said while announcing her name.

Born on October 7, 1967 in Caracas, Maria is the eldest daughter of psychologist Corina Pariska and businessman Henrique Machado Suloga. In addition to being a political activist, she also works as an engineer and human rights lawyer. Machado holds a degree in industrial engineering from the Andrés Bello Catholic University and a master's degree in finance from the Instituto de Estudios Superiores de Administración (IESA) in Caracas.

The Nobel Peace Prize was announced after dashing the hopes of US President Donald Trump. The excitement surrounding this year's Nobel Peace Prize increased when Trump and his supporters came out with claims that he had ended seven wars. However, there was also an observation that Trump's chances of winning the Nobel this time were low, as the main evaluation period was until January 2025.