WATCH: Nobel Peace Prize winner named as Venezuelan activist

for 2025 goes to a brave and committed champion of peace, to a woman who keeps the flame of

democracy burning amidst a growing darkness. The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided

to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2025 to Maria Corina Machado

She is receiving the Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless work promoting democratic rights

for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition

from dictatorship to democracy. As the leader of the democratic forces in Venezuela, Maria Corina Machado is one of the most extraordinary examples of civilian courage in Latin America in recent times

Ms. Machado has been a key unifying figure in a political opposition that was once deeply

divided, an opposition that found common ground in the demand for free election and representative government

This is precisely what lies at the heart of democracy. Our shared willingness to defend the principles of popular rule, even though we disagree

At a time when democracy is under threat, it is more important than ever to defend this common ground

Venezuela has evolved from a relatively democratic and prosperous country to a brutal and authoritarian

state that is now suffering a humanitarian and economic crisis. Most Venezuelan live in deep poverty even as the few at the top enrich themselves The violent machinery of the state is directed against its own population Nearly 8 million people have left the country

The opposition has been systematically suppressed by means of election rigging, legal prosecution and imprisonment

Venezuela's authoritarian regime makes political work extremely dangerous

As the founder of Sumate, an organization devoted to democratic development, Ms. Machado

stood up for free and fair elections more than 20 years ago

As she said, it was a choice of ballots over bullets. In political office and in her service to organizations since then, Ms Machado has spoken out for

judicial independence, human rights and popular representation. She has spent years working for the freedom of the Venezuelan people

of the election of 2024, Ms Machado was the opposition's presidential candidate, but the

regime blocked her candidacy. She then backed the representative of a different party, Edmundo

González Urrutia, in the election. Hundreds of thousands of volunteers mobilized across

political divides. They were trained as election observers to ensure a transparent and fair

election. Despite the risk of harassment, arrest and torture, citizens across the country

held watch over the polling stations. They made sure the final tallies were documented

before the regime could destroy ballots and lie about the outcome. The efforts of the collective opposition, both before and during the election

were innovative and brave, peaceful and democratic. The opposition received international support when its leaders publicized the vote counts that had been collected from the country election districts showing that the opposition had won by a clear margin

But the regime refused to accept the election result and clung to power

Democracy is a precondition for lasting peace. However we live in a world where democracy is in retreat, where more and more authoritarian

regimes are challenging norms and resorting to violence. The Venezuelan regime's rigid hold on power and its repression of its population are not

unique in the world. We see the same trends globally. Rule of law abused by those in control

Free media silenced, critics imprisoned, and societies pushed towards authoritarian rule

and militarization. In 2024, more elections were held than ever before, but fewer and fewer are free and fair

In its long history, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has honoured brave women and men who have stood

up to repression, who have carried the hope of freedom in prison cells, on the streets

and in public squares, and who have shown by their actions that peaceful resistance

can change the world. In the past year, Ms Machado has been forced to live in hiding

Despite serious threats against her life, she has remained in the country – a choice

that has inspired millions. When authoritarian sees power, it is crucial to recognize courageous defenders of freedom

who rise and resist. dependency depends on people who refuse to stay silent, who dare to step forward despite

grave risk and who remind us that freedom must never be taken for granted but must always be defended with words with courage and with determination

Maria Corina Machado meets all the three criteria stated in Alfred Nobel's will for the selection of a peace prize

She has brought her country's opposition together. She has never wavered in resisting the militarization of Venezuelan society

She has been steadfast in her support for a peaceful transition to democracy

Maria Corina Machado has shown that the tools of democracy are also the tools of peace

She embodies the hope of a different future, one where the fundamental rights of citizens

are protected and their voices are heard. In this future, people will finally be free to live in peace

Thank you. Questions? The attention this year has been a bit further north

How are you as a committee going to make sure that the topic of this year's Peace Prize

Democratic Development in Venezuela, is highlighted in the days and weeks to come

First and foremost, we hope to get your help, because the media obviously plays an important

role in highlighting the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. But first and foremost, the immense and impressive work of the opposition in that country, so

that they will still have hope to fight for a freedom, a future of freedom for their country

Congratulations to Maria Corida-Marjado and the committee on the decision. But during the past months, U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly said he deserves

the Nobel Peace Prize and he'd like to have it. He even said that it would be an insult to the United States if he doesn't get it

What does your, as the chairman of the Nobel Peace Prize Committee, think of this

And how has this campaign-like activity..