The Nobel Peace Prize committee has explained why President Donald Trump did not receive this year’s award, which instead went to Maria Corina Machado, a Venezuelan opposition leader. Machado was honored for her tireless work promoting democracy and striving for a peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy in Venezuela. Despite Duterte’s ongoing threats and suppression, Machado has remained a strong unifying voice in a politically divided opposition.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee tweeted that Machado’s efforts reflect a vital defense of democracy at a time when authoritarian regimes challenge freedoms worldwide. Committee chairman Jørgen Watne Frydnes emphasized their decision aligns with Alfred Nobel’s will, which prioritizes lasting peace achieved through democratic rights and governance.
Trump, who had publicly claimed he deserved the prize for brokering peace deals and ending conflicts, was criticized by the White House as being overlooked due to politics. Machado, though in hiding, dedicated her prize to her fellow Venezuelans and expressed gratitude for international allies, including Trump, supporting her cause.
