Dharamshala — His Holiness the Dalai Lama has written to Maria Corina Machado to congratulate her on being awarded 2025's Nobel Peace Prize for her resolute efforts to promote democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and her determination to achieve a peaceful, equitable society.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet has written to Maria Corina Machado, on October 11, 2025, to congratulate her on being awarded 2025 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.”
His Holiness the Dalai Lama wrote, "In devoting yourself to democratic development, you have shown steadfast courage in the service of others. By your own example you have reminded us of the need to speak out in defense of democracy and freedom."
"In your work to bring people together for a common cause you embody hope that peace and harmony can be achieved," His Holiness added and concluded his letter by offering his prayers and good wishes.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee on October 10, 2025, announced to award the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Maria Corina Machado 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.”
The former opposition presidential candidate in Venezuela, Machado, is a democratic rights activist. She was lauded for being a “key, unifying figure in a political opposition that was once deeply divided – an opposition that found common ground in the demand for free elections and representative government,” said Jorgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel committee.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee said, “Maria Corina Machado has led the struggle for democracy in the face of ever-expanding authoritarianism in Venezuela. Ms Machado studied engineering and finance, and had a short career in business. In 1992 she established the Atenea Foundation, which works to benefit street children in Caracas.”
“Ten years later she was one of the founders of Súmate, which promotes free and fair elections and has conducted training and election monitoring. In 2010 she was elected to the National Assembly, winning a record number of votes. The regime expelled her from office in 2014. Ms Machado leads the Vente Venezuela opposition party and in 2017 helped found the Soy Venezuela alliance, which unites pro-democracy forces in the country across political dividing lines,” the Norwegian Nobel Committee explained.
“In 2023 she announced her candidacy for president in the 2024 presidential election. When she was blocked from running, she supported the opposition’s alternative candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia. The opposition mobilised widely and collected systematic documentation that it was the true winner of the election. The regime declared victory and tightened its grip on power,” it stated.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee said, “Ms Machado is receiving the Nobel Peace Prize first and foremost for her efforts to advance democracy in Venezuela. But democracy is also in retreat internationally. Democracy – understood as the right to freely express one’s opinion, to cast one’s vote and to be represented in elective government – is the foundation of peace both within countries and between countries.”
