Overview

• The Nobel Institute opened an investigation after Polymarket odds on Machado spiked from about 4% to nearly 73% hours before the Oslo announcement, with the director saying the case is very likely linked to espionage.
• Machado, who has lived in hiding since the contested 2024 vote, dedicated the award to Venezuelans and to President Donald Trump for what she called decisive support.
• The White House criticized the decision, asserting the committee put politics before peace by choosing Machado instead of Trump.
• Emmanuel Macron, the UN human rights office, and Ursula von der Leyen praised the award as a strong signal for democratic rights in Venezuela.
• President Nicolás Maduro announced new military exercises in response to heightened U.S. naval deployments in the Caribbean following the prize announcement.