Post by : Rameen Ariff

Venezuelan democracy activist Maria Corina Machado has come under intense scrutiny after being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2025. Critics have raised concerns over her past political positions, including her support for Israel and its military actions in Gaza, as well as her calls for foreign intervention in Venezuela to challenge the government.

Machado, a leading figure in Venezuela’s pro-democracy movement, has become a symbol of civilian courage amid political turmoil. The Nobel Committee announced her as this year’s Peace Laureate, praising her efforts to promote democracy and oppose dictatorship in Venezuela. The committee highlighted Machado as a “key, unifying figure” in Venezuela’s previously divided opposition and commended her for inspiring hope for a future where citizens’ rights are respected.

The announcement drew criticism from several quarters. Observers in the United States, including the White House, questioned whether the decision prioritized politics over peace, noting it came after failed efforts to promote former President Donald Trump as a global peacemaker. Machado later dedicated her award to Trump, who responded positively.

The Nobel Committee lauded her resilience, noting that she has lived in hiding over the past year due to serious threats against her life but chose to remain in Venezuela, inspiring millions of supporters. According to the committee, her work demonstrates that the tools of democracy are also tools of peace.

However, Machado’s critics have highlighted her past statements and actions showing support for Israel and the Likud party, which have drawn sharp condemnation, particularly for their role in the Gaza conflict. Some posts and statements included remarks such as, “The struggle of Venezuela is the struggle of Israel,” and she once called Israel a “genuine ally of freedom.” Machado had also promised to move the Venezuelan embassy to Jerusalem if she assumed power.

Norwegian lawmaker Bjornar Moxnes pointed out that Machado signed a cooperation agreement with Israel’s Likud party in 2020, further fueling controversy. The US-based Council on American-Islamic Relations criticized the Nobel Committee, calling the decision “unconscionable” and arguing it undermines the prize’s credibility. The organisation urged the committee to recognize someone whose efforts consistently reflect moral courage, such as activists, journalists, or medical professionals who oppose the Gaza conflict.

Machado is also facing backlash for her calls for foreign involvement in Venezuela. In 2018, she sent letters to the presidents of Israel and Argentina asking for support in opposing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s government, which she described as “intimately linked to drug trafficking and terrorism.”

Despite the criticism, the Nobel Committee’s decision underscores Machado’s prominence in Venezuela’s fight for democracy, while the debate surrounding her award highlights the complex intersections of international politics, activism, and recognition in the global arena.

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