Overview

• The Norwegian Nobel Committee honored Machado for defending human rights and democratic freedoms in Venezuela and awarded her 11 million Swedish kronor.
• Machado is a longtime opposition leader who was expelled from the National Assembly, proscribed by authorities, and is reported to be living in hiding.
• Venezuelan diaspora groups, including the Venezuelan American Chamber of Commerce and AMAVEX, welcomed the decision as a boost to hopes for democratic change.
• Reactions split along political lines, with praise from conservative allies and criticism from figures such as Grayzone’s Max Blumenthal and Code Pink questioning the selection.
• Coverage ties the award to Venezuela’s contested 2024 election, in which her coalition claimed victory for a surrogate candidate recognized by several governments but rejected by Nicolás Maduro, who had not publicly responded as of initial reports.