The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded Friday to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, who remains in hiding after her attempt to run against President Nicolás Maduro.
Machado, 58, was honored for her efforts in keeping “the flame of democracy burning amidst a growing darkness” and the “ever-expanding authoritarianism in Venezuela.”
Though there was speculation that President Donald Trump might receive the prize for his role in helping broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, among other efforts, Machado became a late favorite on online betting sites just hours before the decision was made.
As the leader of the Vente Venezuela opposition party, Machado was prevented from running for the presidency and was removed from office in 2014. She now lives in hiding, facing “serious threats against her life,” according to the Norwegian Nobel Committee.
“When authoritarians seize power, it is crucial to recognize courageous defenders of freedom who rise and resist,” the committee said in a statement.
“Democracy relies on individuals who refuse to remain silent, who have the courage to step forward despite significant risks, and who remind us that freedom should never be taken for granted, but must always be defended — with words, courage, and determination.”
