The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado in recognition of her tireless efforts to promote democratic rights and advocate for a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy in Venezuela. The Committee highlighted her commitment to advancing political freedoms and defending the rights of the Venezuelan people amid a challenging political environment.
Federico Borello, Interim Executive Director at Human Rights Watch, stated that the award should help reinvigorate international efforts to support a peaceful transition to democracy in Venezuela. He emphasized that Venezuelans have endured systematic human rights violations and a severe humanitarian crisis under the current government, and called on foreign governments to provide support to strengthen a rights-respecting democratic process.
Human Rights Watch has recently documented the ongoing human rights challenges in Venezuela through reports such as “Venezuela: Political Prisoners Cut Off from the World” and “Punished for Seeking Change,” which highlight the repression faced by political activists and the urgent need for international attention and support.