Frydnes simply stated: “We base our decision only on the work and the will of Alfred Nobel” – the Swedish chemist after whom the award is named.
Writing on their social media pages, the Nobel Prize team explained Machado’s win, saying: “Democracy is a precondition for lasting peace. However, we live in a world where democracy is in retreat, where more and more authoritarian regimes are challenging norms and resorting to violence.
“Maria Corina Machado – awarded the 2025 #NobelPeacePrize – has spent years working for the freedom of the Venezuelan people. The Venezuelan regime’s rigid hold on power and its repression of the population are not unique in the world. We see the same trends globally: rule of law abused by those in control, free media silenced, critics imprisoned, and societies pushed towards authoritarian rule and militarisation. In 2024, more elections were held than ever before, but fewer and fewer are free and fair.”
Trump had his heart set on the prize (Samuel Corum/Sipa/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
They added: “In the past year, #NobelPeacePrize laureate Maria Corina Machado has been forced to live in hiding. Despite serious threats against her life she has remained in the country, a choice that has inspired millions of people.
“When authoritarians seize power, it is crucial to recognise courageous defenders of freedom who rise and resist. Democracy depends on people who refuse to stay silent, who dare to step forward despite grave risk, and who remind us that freedom must never be taken for granted, but must always be defended – with words, with courage and with determination.”
Democracy is a precondition for lasting peace. However, we live in a world where democracy is in retreat, where more and more authoritarian regimes are challenging norms and resorting to violence. Maria Corina Machado – awarded the 2025 #NobelPeacePrize – has spent years working
Following the announcement of the prestigious accolade, the committee stated: “She is receiving the Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela, and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.”
The award is traditionally given ‘for fraternity between the nations and the abolition or reduction of standing armies and the formation and spreading of peace congresses’ in a given year.
It is one of the most prestigious honours anyone can be given.
There were 338 candidates for the award this year, between 244 people and 94 organisations.
Trump won’t be best pleased, especially after claiming he ‘would have had the Nobel Prize given to me in 10 seconds’ if he’d been Barack Obama.