From Sakharov to Nobel: World honours María Corina Machado’s fight for democracy

The EPP Group warmly welcomes the news that Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado will receive the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. She had already been awarded the European Parliament’s 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, following a nomination proposed by the EPP Group.

Awarding her the Nobel Peace Prize sends a powerful message of support for democracy and freedom, and shines as a beacon of hope for all Venezuelans striving to live in a free and democratic country.

“Today, the world recognises what our European Parliament recognized a year ago, when we awarded the Sakharov Prize to María Corina Machado and the democratic forces of Venezuela. We are proud as EPP to have led that effort. And we did it with one thing in our minds: every single Venezuelan, in their country or as a refugee, who still hopes to live in a democratic Venezuela. Today, we honour them”, said Sebastião Bugalho MEP, one of the initiators of Parliament’s award to Machado.

“The courage and sacrifice of María Corina are today receiving the recognition they deserve. The peaceful and democratic defence of freedom in Venezuela is being duly acknowledged with the awarding of this prize. What began with the Sakharov Prize continues today with the Nobel Prize. This award should encourage us even more to support María Corina in her struggle to restore freedom and democracy to Venezuela”, added Gabriel Mato Adrover MEP, who also spearheaded her nomination.