The Council of Europe congratulates María Corina Machado, leader of Venezuela’s democracy movement, on being awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless struggle to defend the democratic rights of her people.
The Nobel Committee hailed her as “one of the most extraordinary examples of civilian courage in Latin America in recent times” and praised her work to achieve “a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.”
This historic recognition comes just one year after Ms Machado received the 2024 Václav Havel Human Rights Prize at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe – the first Latin American to be honoured with the award.
The Council of Europe recognised Ms Machado’s courage and determination with the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize in 2024. Today’s Nobel Peace Prize confirms that her struggle for democracy is also a struggle for peace.
2024 Václav Havel Human Rights Prize
