Overview

• President Nicolás Maduro dismissed the award by labeling Machado a “demonic witch” and claimed, without evidence, that 90% of Venezuelans repudiate her, calling for “peace with sovereignty” as he referenced U.S. military activity in the Caribbean.
• Pro‑government demonstrators in Caracas rejected the Nobel and argued that Maduro should have received the prize instead.
• Machado, still living clandestinely, said “the next prize will be Venezuela’s freedom,” told La Nación that Maduro “has his days numbered,” and dedicated the award to Venezuelans and to President Donald Trump.
• Colombian President Gustavo Petro publicly questioned the choice, citing a 2018 letter in which Machado sought support from Benjamin Netanyahu and Mauricio Macri.
• Analysts and opposition figures said the Nobel bolsters claims that Venezuela lacks a functional democracy and could intensify international pressure on Maduro’s government.