Nobel Peace Prize goes to Venezuelan opposition leader who lives in hiding

Ms Machado, a 58-year-old industrial engineer, was blocked in 2024 by Venezuela’s courts from running for president and thus challenging President Nicolas Ma-duro, who has been in power since 2013.

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“Oh my God... I have no words,” Ms Machado told the secretary of the award body, Mr Kristian Berg Harpviken, in a phone call which the committee posted on social media.

“] thank you so much, but I hope you understand this isa movement, this is an achievement of a whole society. I am just one person. I certainly do not deserve it,” she added.

Mr Maduro, whose 12 years in office have been marked by deep economic and social crisis, was sworn in for a third term in January, despite a six-month-long election dispute, international calls for him to stand aside and an increase in the US reward offered for his capture.

“When authoritarians seize power, it is crucial to recognise courageous defenders of freedom who rise and resist,” the committee said in its citation.

The White House criticised the decision, just days after Mr Trump announced a breakthrough in talks to halt the fighting in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.

“President Trump will continue making peace deals, ending wars, and saving lives... The Nobel committee proved they place politics over peace,” White House spokesman Steven Cheung said.

It was not immediately clear whether Ms Machado would be able to attend the award ceremony in Oslo on Dec 10.