An immense majority of political leaders in America came together this Friday, regardless of the ideological current they follow, to congratulate the Venezuelan opponent María Corina Machado for winning the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize.
After the Norwegian Nobel Committee chose her “for her tireless work in promoting the democratic rights of the people of Venezuela,” several leaders on the continent dedicated a few words to the Venezuelan, who has remained in hiding since last January 9, when she led a protest in Caracas to defend the claimed victory of the opponent Edmundo González against Nicolás Maduro.
After hearing the news, the largest opposition coalition in Venezuela, the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD), reiterated its commitment to “the freedom” of the South American country.
“We celebrate in unity the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to María Corina Machado. The first Venezuelan woman to win this prestigious award, which raises her commitment to freedom, democracy, justice and peace for Venezuela in the eyes of the entire world. A fight that we share and that we will not give up until those objectives are met,” the PUD expressed on the social network X.
Voices for and against in North America
Not everything was applause in North America. The advisor to the president of the United States, Donald Trump, and director of Communications of the White House, Steven Cheung, accused the Norwegian Nobel Committee of putting “politics before peace” for not awarding the prize to the American president.
“President Trump will continue to make peace deals, end wars, and save lives. He has the heart of a humanitarian, and there will never be anyone like him who can move mountains with the sheer force of his will,” Cheung added.
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However, the Secretary General of the UN, António Guterres, did describe the Venezuelan as “a voice of unity in her country.”
Former United States President Barack Obama, Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2009, expressed the same sentiment, recalling that Machado “should inspire those who fight in a similar way around the world” and remind Americans of their “solemn responsibility to constantly preserve and defend” democracy.
South America highlights the fight for democracy
One of the first to speak out this Friday was the Colombian president, Gustavo Petro, who said he hoped that Machado “helps his country achieve dialogue to maintain peace.”
Former Colombian presidents Juan Manuel Santos, Iván Duque and Álvaro Uribe also joined in the congratulations.
“It is a great recognition of his courage and perseverance in his fight for the freedom and peace of Venezuela,” said Santos (2010-2018), winner of the 2016 Nobel Prize for signing the peace agreement with the FARC guerrilla.
Uribe (2002-2010), who has supported the struggle of the Venezuelan opposition, euphorically celebrated the news of the Nobel: “Long live María Corina, Long live Democracy, Long live Venezuela, Long live Colombia.”
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From Argentina, President Javier Milei highlighted Machado’s fight against the “narco dictatorship of Venezuela”, in reference to the Maduro Government.
In turn, the president of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa, highlighted that, with the Nobel Peace Prize for the Venezuelan, “brave voices prevail over the noise.”
Also in Paraguay, President Santiago Peña considered the award as support for the “daily struggle for democracy,” while Luis Lacalle Pou from Uruguay assured that the award is for Machado and “all the Venezuelan people for their tireless fight against the dictatorship.”
Others who celebrated were the two candidates for the Presidency of Bolivia, who will face each other in the second round on October 19: the centrist Rodrigo Paz said he received the news of the award with “deep emotion and hope,” while the right-wing former president Jorge Tuto Quiroga described Machado as a “heroine” and recalled that “the greatest prize” will come when “Venezuela is free.”
Meanwhile, former Bolivian president Jeanine Áñez said that it is “news with a capital letter,” which she received “with tears of joy.”
Central America and the Caribbean between applause and shame
The Central American leaders highlighted María Corina Machado’s efforts to defend justice in the Caribbean country.
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Thus, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica considered that “this award represents a significant step on the path to the restoration of democracy in Venezuela and an inspiration for all those who long for fair, transparent governments that respect the rights of their citizens.”
Likewise, the president of Guatemala, Bernardo Arévalo, said that the award is an accolade for the “personal struggle, courage and determination in the defense of democracy and human rights in Venezuela.”
The Government of Panama described what happened as a “great triumph!”, according to President José Raúl Mulino, while his counterpart from the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, maintained that it is “recognition of more than 30 years of selfless struggle for democracy and human rights.”
In contrast, the president of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, described what happened as “shameful” and criticized the “politicization” of the Norwegian committee of these awards for awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to María Corina Machado.
With information from EFE.
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