Venezuelan democracy activist Maria Corina Machado has been named the recipient of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, with former US President Donald Trump notably absent from contention. Trump, who returned to the White House in January, had been quite vocal about his desire for the award, frequently highlighting his administration’s alleged role in conflict resolution. Key examples cited by his supporters included a peace accord between Israel and Hamas and his claims of mediating a tense situation between India and Pakistan, a narrative that India itself has rejected.
Several factors led to Trump’s disqualification. The most significant was the missed nomination deadline. Reports indicate that all nominations filed on Trump’s behalf for the 2025 prize were submitted after the February 1 deadline. The submission period for the award, which saw a large number of entries, closed shortly after Trump’s return to office. Moreover, the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded for achievements in the year prior to the announcement. As the 2025 prize recognizes actions from 2024, a period when Trump had been elected but had not yet taken office, he did not meet the eligibility criteria for that specific award cycle.
Machado’s award acknowledges her profound commitment to democratic rights and her persistent advocacy for a peaceful democratic transition in Venezuela. Her work represents a significant struggle against dictatorship and a movement towards greater freedom and self-determination for the Venezuelan people.