Venezuelan opposition leader Machado awarded Nobel Peace Prize

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for her struggle to achieve a democratic transition in the South American nation, winning recognition as a woman “who keeps the flame of democracy burning amid a growing darkness.”

- By Kostya MANENKov, REGINA GARCIA CANO AND GEIR MouLson

MARÍA CORINA MACHADO is the 20th woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

(JESUS VARGAS dpa/Picture-Alliance)

The former opposition presidential candidate is a “key, unifying figure” in the ‘once deeply divided opposition to President Nicolas Maduro’s government, said Jorgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel committee.

“In the past year, Ms. Machado has been forced to live in hiding,” Watne Frydnes said. “Despite serious threats against her life, she has remained in the country, achoice that has inspired millions. When authoritarians seize power, itis crucial to recognize courageous defenders of freedom who rise and resist.”

“This is something that the Venezuelan people deserve,” Machado said in a call with the Norwegian Nobel Institute. “I am just part of a huge movement. ... 'm humbled, I'm grateful and Tm honored not only by this recognition, but I'm honored to be part of what's going on in Venezuela today.”

“Ibelieve that we are very close to achieving, finally, freedom for our country and peace for the region,” she said, adding that “even though we face the most brutal violence, our society has resisted” and insisted on struggling by peaceful means. “I believe that the world will now understand howurgent it isto finally, you know, succeed.”

Maduro’s government has routinely targeted its realor perceived opponents.

Machado, who turned 58 this week, was set to run against Maduro in last year’s presidential election, but the government disqualified her. Edmundo Gonzalez, who had never run for office before, took her place. The lead-up to the election saw widespread repression, including disqualifications, arrests and human rights violations.