Who Is Nobel Peace Prize Winner Maria Corina Machado?

Select Language:

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado received the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for her efforts to promote democratic rights and her relentless pursuit of a transition toward democracy in her country, according to the Norwegian Nobel Committee.

Here are some key facts about the democracy advocate:

Affluent Upbringing
Born in Caracas, Venezuela, on October 7, 1967, Machado is 58 years old. She studied as an industrial engineer, following in her father’s footsteps—he was a well-known businessman in Venezuela’s steel industry. Her privileged background has made her a frequent target of criticism from Venezuela’s ruling socialist party.

In Hiding
Machado won a landslide victory in the 2023 opposition primary, drawing large crowds to her rallies. However, a ban on holding public office prevented her from running for president against Nicolás Maduro in the 2024 election, prompting her to go into hiding.

Maduro’s electoral victory is contested; Venezuela’s electoral body and top court claim Maduro won, but they have not provided detailed results. Maduro’s presidency has been marred by severe economic and social crises.

Machado re-emerged from hiding briefly during a protest ahead of Maduro’s inauguration in January. She was arrested but released shortly after.

Support for Free Market Reforms
Machado advocates for liberal economic changes, including privatizing state-owned enterprises like PDVSA, Venezuela’s oil company. She also supports establishing welfare programs aimed at assisting the country’s most vulnerable populations.

Political Commitment and Challenges
Her activism has come with significant personal costs. Nearly all of her senior advisors have been detained or compelled to leave the country. Machado herself has accused Maduro’s government of operating as a “criminal mafia.”

A Collective Fight for Change
Despite occasional criticism—even from her own mother—Machado seldom talks about herself publicly. Instead, she describes her effort as a collective struggle for redemption and unity, aiming to rekindle hope among Venezuelans exhausted by economic hardship and social decline.