Overview

• After an initial White House complaint that the committee favored politics over peace, President Trump phoned Machado to congratulate her and publicly accepted the decision.
• Nobel nominations closed on January 31 and the committee finalized its choice before the early‑October Israel‑Hamas ceasefire, limiting consideration of recent diplomacy that Trump and allies have highlighted.
• Analysts frame the prize as international validation of Venezuela’s pro‑democracy movement and an implicit rebuke of Nicolás Maduro’s government.
• Reporting describes increased U.S. military activity in the Caribbean near Venezuela and notes Caracas launched “Independence Plan 200” drills in response.
• Coverage recalls that then‑Senator Marco Rubio was among U.S. lawmakers reported to have nominated Machado in 2024.