Venezuela’s opposition leader Maria Corina Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for her decades-long struggle against authoritarianism, fearless defense of democracy, and bold moral leadership in a nation that has been racked by crisis.

Known as the Iron Lady of Venezuela, Machado has been in hiding for more than 14 months after refusing to bow out after Nicolas Maduro declared major victory in the US and EU criticized election period.

The Nobel Peace Prize of 2025 went to a brave and committed champion of peace. To a woman who kept the flame of democracy glowing amid great darkness, the chair of Norway’s Nobel Committee declared to reporters in an announcement.

He added that since she’ a leader for the democratic forces in Venezuela, she’s said to be one of the most extraordinary examples of civilian courage in Latin America in recent times.

Frydnes described Machado as a key unifying figure and a political opposition that was once deeply divided. The US and most Venezuelans, as per a recent survey, don’t recognize Maduro’s leadership as legitimate after he stole the past two elections.

Machado, in the face of disqualifications, threats, and forced silence, had persisted, pushing for free elections, mobilizing citizens, exposing human rights abuses, and serving as the moral conscience of her nation.