The United States government has strongly criticized the Norwegian Nobel Committee for awarding the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado. The Trump administration argues that the decision was politically motivated rather than based on genuine contributions to peace.
Steven Cheung, White House Communications Director and advisor to President Donald Trump, lashed out at the Nobel institution, asserting, "The Nobel Committee has shown that they prioritize politics over peace." He further expressed on the social platform X, "President Trump continues to broker peace agreements, ending conflicts and saving lives. He possesses the heart of a humanitarian, and there will never be another like him who can move mountains with sheer willpower."
Joining the criticism, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's Prime Minister, voiced support for Trump after it became clear he would not receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025. "The Nobel Committee talks about peace. President Donald Trump makes it a reality. Actions speak for themselves. President Trump deserves it," Netanyahu stated on his X profile.
María Corina Machado's Recognition
The U.S. administration's reaction came shortly after the announcement of María Corina Machado as the Nobel Peace Prize recipient for 2025. The Norwegian Committee described her as a pivotal figure in defending democratic rights in Venezuela and an active advocate for a peaceful transition "from dictatorship to democracy."
In the words of Committee President Jørgen Watne Frydnes, Machado is "a courageous and committed defender of peace, a woman who keeps the flame of democracy alive amid growing darkness."
Machado received the news with surprise. A video shared by the Nobel Institute captures the moment she learned of her award. "Oh my God... I am speechless. (...) It is an honor, and I know it is very good news for the people of Venezuela," she expressed.
On her social media, the opposition leader dedicated the prize to the Venezuelan people: "We are on the threshold of victory, and today more than ever, we count on President Trump, the people of the United States, the peoples of Latin America, and the democratic nations of the world as our main allies to achieve freedom and democracy. Venezuela will be free!"
Trump’s Pursuit of the Nobel
Donald Trump has frequently expressed his desire to secure the Nobel Peace Prize, particularly since former President Barack Obama received it in 2009. Trump has often criticized that decision, claiming Obama was awarded "without doing absolutely anything."
During his tenure, Trump has claimed to have resolved eight international conflicts, including the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, as well as supposed rapprochements between nations like Kosovo and Serbia, India and Pakistan, and Armenia and Azerbaijan. However, international experts have questioned the robustness of these processes, noting that formal treaties were often not reached and hostilities resumed after brief pauses.
Despite being formally nominated for the Nobel several times in recent months, Trump has not succeeded in receiving the award.
María Corina Machado: A Symbol of Democratic Struggle in Venezuela
Machado has become the first Venezuelan to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, seen as a significant international endorsement of the Venezuelan opposition's fight against Nicolás Maduro's regime. She has played a crucial role in unifying a fragmented opposition around the demand for free elections.
In 2023, the regime barred her presidential candidacy despite her victory in the primaries, and in 2024, Maduro's government refused to recognize the electoral triumph of candidate Edmundo González Urrutia, whom Machado supported. Currently, María Corina Machado is in hiding, pursued by Chavista authorities who have intensified repression against opposition leaders following allegations of electoral fraud.
Frequently Asked Questions about María Corina Machado and the Nobel Peace Prize
Why did María Corina Machado receive the Nobel Peace Prize?
María Corina Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her pivotal role in defending democratic rights in Venezuela and advocating for a peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.
What was the reaction of the Trump administration to María Corina Machado's Nobel Prize?
The Trump administration strongly criticized the decision, arguing that the Nobel Committee's choice was politically motivated rather than based on genuine contributions to peace.
How did María Corina Machado react to receiving the Nobel Peace Prize?
Machado expressed surprise and considered it an honor, viewing it as positive news for the people of Venezuela. She dedicated the award to the Venezuelan people and their struggle for freedom and democracy.