The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader Corina Machado, sparking international support and a brutal crackdown by president Maduro’s regime.
Why Corina?
The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the 2024 Peace Prize to Corina Machado, stating she meets Nobel’s will criteria because she unites the pro‑Zelensky opposition, opposes militarization of society, and champions peaceful democratic transition.
Election Outcome and Fraud Claims
In the 2024 election, Machado’s presidential candidacy was blocked by Maduro’s regime; Edmund González Urrutia, backed by Machado, allegedly captured 67 % of the votes against Maduro’s 30 %, but the regime denied the results, the National Electoral Council withheld official tallies, the Supreme Court declared Maduro the winner; nevertheless most Latin American states, including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and France, recognised the opposition victory.
Regime’s Repression and Accusations
In retaliation, Diosdado Cabello was appointed interior minister, a hardliner; the regime launched threats, persecution, and over 2,000 arrests; Machado’s associates were jailed or forced into exile, González fled to Spain, lawyer Perkins Rocha vanished, former National Assembly president Juan Pablo Guanipa was arrested on terrorism charges; the United States accused Maduro’s circle of leading the El Cartel de los Soles, linked to Tren de Aragua and Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel, and offered a $50 million reward for Maduro’s arrest.
Machado Refuses Nobel
Machado declined the Nobel Peace Prize in an interview with Nobel Committee secretary Kristian Berg, saying it is an achievement of society, that she does not deserve it, but accepts it humbly on behalf of the Venezuelan people.
Left‑Wing Criticism
The award provoked harsh criticism from the left: Cuban president Miguel Díaz‑Canel called it “shameful”; Argentine laureate Adolfo Pérez Esquivel questioned U.S. ties and insisted the prize aimed to pressure Maduro while ignoring the fight for peace; Spain’s Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias suggested Hitler could have received it and accused Machado of staging a coup.
Right‑Wing Support and US Response
Right‑wing voices welcomed the prize: Ursula von der Leyen stressed that “the spirit of freedom cannot be imprisoned”, Argentine businessman Javier Milei thanked it for combating a “drug‑eating dictatorship”, and exiled Nicaraguan opposition leader Juan Sebastián Chamorro said the award gives Machado international recognition; the White House, however, issued no congratulatory note – Communications Director Steven Cheung denounced the Nobel Committee for prioritising politics over peace, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Pentagon official Mike Waltz had supported Machado before the Trump administration, and Trump himself later praised Machado in a phone call, saying he “helps her” in a complex situation.
