By Admin 
Venezuela’s leading opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was announced to be awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday (October 10, 2025). Machado is known as the ‘Iron Lady’ in Venezuela for her contribution in strengthening democratic rights. He won this award by defeating US President Donald Trump. Machado has spent 20 years promoting democratic rights and peaceful struggle against dictatorship in Venezuela. The Nobel Committee honored his courage and continuous efforts for democracy.
Democracy and struggle against dictatorship
The Nobel Committee said that today when dictatorship is increasing in many parts of the world and democracy has weakened, the courage of leaders like Machado is like a flame of hope. He received this award for his tireless struggle for democracy and fight against dictatorship in Venezuela.
Life in secret and arrest
Machado has been living underground in the country for a long time due to pressure from the Maduro government. He was last seen in public during protests in Caracas in January this year. After this the Maduro government arrested him, but due to international pressure he was soon released. Even now she has not been seen in public and is in a safe place for her work. Machado lives with her eldest daughter in her large family, while her two other children and husband are abroad. He has said that he did not feel the warmth of the sun for a long time.
Political conflict and electoral challenge
Machado had become a presidential candidate in 2023 by winning the opposition primaries, but the Supreme Court disqualified her. He supported Edmundo Gonzalez, who the opposition claims had won the 2024 election, but Maduro rigged the election.
Education and career
Maria Corina Machado is a Venezuelan opposition leader and engineer. He was born on 7 October 1967 in Caracas. He earned a degree in electrical engineering and worked on poverty alleviation in the 1990s. She was included in Times Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2025, where she was called the ‘Iron Lady’ of Venezuela. This award was given to Machado for his efforts to promote democratic rights and combat dictatorship. According to the Nobel Committee, his courage and leadership kept hope for democracy in Venezuela alive.