María Corina Machado, a Venezuelan opposition leader driven into hiding since a disputed election last year, has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for keeping “the flame of democracy burning amid a growing darkness.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee on Friday announced that 58-year-old Machado, who leads the opposition in Venezuela, is the winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. In a statement, it said Machado won the prize for her efforts to promote peace in Venezuela.

Donald Trump missed out on the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan leader Maria Corina Machado, recognized for her advocacy for democracy. Social media reacted with memes and comments over Trump's loss.

“There are rare moments when the love of democracy cannot be defeated by weapons or torture,” Venezuelan intellectual Moisés Naím told me upon hearing the news of the award. “The Nobel confirms the legitimacy of María Corina’s leadership, both inside and outside Venezuela.”