Supporters of Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado gathered in cities around the world to celebrate her Nobel Peace Prize win, highlighting the ongoing struggle for democracy in Venezuela. From Madrid to Lima, Buenos Aires to Brisbane, Venezuelan communities mobilized in a show of solidarity ahead of Machado’s formal award ceremony.

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Demonstrations Across the Globe

Thousands marched in support of the 58-year-old opposition leader, who has been in hiding since August 2024. In Madrid, Spain, demonstrators held placards with images of family members imprisoned under the government of President Nicolás Maduro, demanding freedom and justice.

In Lima, Peru, crowds carried portraits of Machado and waved Venezuela’s yellow, blue, and red flag, chanting slogans calling for a “Free Venezuela.” Veronica Duran, a Venezuelan expatriate living in Lima for eight years, said:

“Machado’s Nobel Peace Prize represents all Venezuelans, the fallen, and the political prisoners in their fight to recover democracy.”

Machado’s organization reported that demonstrations were expected in more than 80 cities worldwide, emphasizing her symbolic role as a unifying figure for the Venezuelan diaspora.

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Symbolism and Hope

In Bogotá, Colombia, supporters wore white T-shirts and released balloons as part of a religious ceremony, praying that Machado’s award “be a symbol of hope” for Venezuelans. Meanwhile, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, around 500 demonstrators held a torchlit march using their mobile phone lights to honor Machado’s efforts.

Nancy Hoyer, a 60-year-old supporter, remarked:

“We Venezuelans in the world have a smile today, because we celebrate the Nobel Prize of María Corina and of the entire Venezuelan diaspora, and of all the brave people within Venezuela who have sacrificed themselves… we have so many martyrs, heroes of the resistance.”

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Political Context in Venezuela

Machado’s Nobel recognition comes amid a tense political and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. President Nicolás Maduro, in power since 2013, has repeatedly clashed with opposition forces. The Trump administration, along with other Western governments, has refused to recognize Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate leader, citing widespread electoral irregularities.

Machado had previously won the opposition’s primary election but was barred from running against Maduro in the July 28, 2024, elections. Retired diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez ran in her place but later sought asylum in Spain following a Venezuelan arrest warrant. Machado has been in hiding since January 2025 after briefly being detained during a protest in Caracas.

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Machado’s Nobel Peace Prize and Message

Maria Corina Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on October 10, 2025, for her efforts to preserve democratic values and keep “the flame of democracy burning amid a growing darkness.”

In a video message shared on social media, Machado stated:

“We are living through times where our composure, our conviction, and our organization are being tested. Times when our country needs even more dedication, because now, all these years of struggle, the dignity of the Venezuelan people, have been recognized with the Nobel Peace Prize.”

Machado has confirmed that she will travel to Oslo, Norway, to receive the prize at a ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, though security details remain closely guarded due to ongoing risks in Venezuela.

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Global Impact of Machado’s Victory

Machado’s Nobel Peace Prize has become a rallying point for Venezuelans worldwide, symbolizing hope, democracy, and resistance against authoritarian rule. The demonstrations in multiple countries highlight both the international solidarity with Venezuelan citizens and the enduring challenges facing the nation under Maduro’s government.