Venezuela's opposition leader Machado wins Nobel Peace Prize

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Reuters

October 10, 2025 6:32 AM EDT Updated 1 hour ago


OSLO, Oct 10 (Reuters) - Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who lives in hiding, won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for fighting dictatorship in the country, receiving the award despite U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated insistence he deserved it.

Machado, a 58-year-old industrial engineer, was blocked in 2024 by Venezuela's courts from running for president and thus challenging President Nicolas Maduro, who has been in power since 2013. "When authoritarians seize power, it is crucial to recognise courageous defenders of freedom who rise and resist," the Norwegian Nobel Committee said in its citation.

'SHE WAS OVERWHELMED'

After being blocked from running in 2024, Machado threw herself into campaigning for her replacement, former ambassador Edmundo Gonzalez, drawing crowds that sometimes numbered in the thousands, according to attendees and images captured by media. But several members of Machado's inner circle have faced arrest, including her head of security at the time of the campaign, and six members of her team took refuge in Argentina's embassy after prosecutors issued warrants for their arrest.

Kristian Berg Harpviken, the secretary of the award body, said he had spoken to Machado on the phone just before the announcement was made in Oslo. She said it was overwhelming and that this was a prize for a whole movement, the movement in Venezuela that has fought for democracy," Harpviken said.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/nobel-peace-prize-winner-be-announced-year-overshadowed-by-trump-2025-10-10/

---

Just breaking.

Link to tweet

The Nobel Prize
@NobelPrize
BREAKING NEWS
The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the 2025 #NobelPeacePrize 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.

#NobelPrize
Image
5:01 AM · Oct 10, 2025

Article updated.

Previous articles/headline -

Venezuela's Maria Corina Machado wins 2025 Nobel Peace Prize

October 10, 2025 5:16 AM EDT Updated 6 mins ago


OSLO, Oct 10 (Reuters) - Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for promoting democratic rights in her country and her struggle to achieve a transition to democracy, the Norwegian Nobel Committee said.

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

The committee chose to focus on Venezuela at this time, in a year dominated by U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated public statements that he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize.

Ahead of the announcement, experts on the award had said Trump would not win it as he is dismantling the international world order the Nobel committee cherishes.

October 10, 2025 5:09 AM EDT Updated 3 hours ago


OSLO, Oct 10 (Reuters) - Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday.

She won "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 Norwegian Nobel Committee said in its citation.

The committee chose to focus on Venezuela at this time, in a year dominated by U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated public statements that he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize.

Ahead of the announcement, experts on the award had said Trump would not win it as he is dismantling the international world order the Nobel committee cherishes.

Original article -

October 10, 2025 5:05 AM EDT Updated 3 hours ago


OSLO, Oct 10 (Reuters) - Venezuela's Maria Corina Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday.

She won "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 Norwegian Nobel Committee said in its citation.

[Irish_Dem]

1. We need her here in the US.

[BumRushDaShow]

2. That selection

appears to be a very "coded" message (in multiple ways), directed right at the U.S., from the Committee.

[Irish_Dem]

5. My thoughts exactly Bum.

Very strategic selection with very pointed message.

Brown female.
Fighting for freedom and democracy.

Trump will blow a fuse.

[BumRushDaShow]

6. And Venezuela

where he has been "waging war on the seas" against them and Maduro.

[popsdenver]

22. Just another reason

for him to go after Venezuela, but on a much larger scale..............

Hey folks, for those of you asking WHY Venezuela????????? That country has the Largest Oil Reserves in the World, and both Trump and Putin would love to take control of that country's oil.......

[BumRushDaShow]

30. Maduro is just a "younger" (albeit 62 year old) despot like 45

who completely upended their previous governing bodies and documents and essentially put himself in for life (an apparent goal of 45).

I expect the real fervor between them is that Maduro doesn't want to "play ball" with 45.

[twodogsbarking]

38. Mara Corina Machado Parisca born 7 October 1967 (age 58)

[BumRushDaShow]

44. Nicols Maduro born November 23, 1962 (age 62)

He'll be 63 next month!

[twodogsbarking]

45. Yes indeed. It was early and I was confused, and as my Latina doctor has told me "you are male, and old".

She's one of my favortite people.

[BumRushDaShow]

47. I figured that...

It's those "M" names!

[Irish_Dem]

25. Yes that piece too. Nobel committee knocked it out of the park.

[Escurumbele]

19. Who told you she is brown? You are wrong about that.

Here, take a look at her:

https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/photos-nobel-peace-prize-venezuela-machado-0e2d7ef66fe137639b44923997823098

She is a very intelligent woman, well educated, the color of her skin is not important, and I am sure you agree with me on that one, but she is not brown, so that is not part of the message. Also, with trump, the fact that she is a woman is more than enough.

And one thing to understand, many Venezuelans are descendants of Spaniards, Germans, Italians, what most Venezuelan have in common is a "Mediterranean Skin", they are white, but when exposed to Sun, the tan very beautiful, and I know this because I know a lot of Venezuelans, its amazing how they tan without any lotions.

[Karma13612]

27. I've heard Mediterranean skin tone referred to as an "Olive complexion". Eom

[Irish_Dem]

28. The topic of my discussion with Bum is about a targeted message to Trump.

By the Peace Prize Committee.

And what Trump is going to think about the winner of the Peace Prize.


Trump will consider her brown and a POC.
And a female from Venezuela.

What I think about it is not the topic.

[BumRushDaShow]

36. "She is a very intelligent woman, well educated, the color of her skin is not important"

But in the United States, since its founding, it IS important, to the point it had been codified.

Over a century ago (1903), W.E.B. DuBois made gave remarks at a conference about the-then new century when he was active as an activist (and it applies today) -





The exposure to the unaware, of the sick, twisted, and ever-changing use of color, genetics, and nationality as a tool of oppression (in existence over the past 2 centuries), is in full force right now.

The whole SCOTUS case in 1896 - Plessy v. Ferguson is a grand illustration of the ludicrousness of this system.

Plessy v. Ferguson

(snip)

Argued
Apr 13, 1896

Decided
May 18, 1896

(snip)

Facts of the case

Louisiana enacted the Separate Car Act, which required separate railway cars for blacks and whites. In 1892, Homer Plessy – who was seven-eighths Caucasian – agreed to participate in a test to challenge the Act. He was solicited by the Comite des Citoyens (Committee of Citizens), a group of New Orleans residents who sought to repeal the Act. They asked Plessy, who was technically black under Louisiana law, to sit in a "whites only" car of a Louisiana train.

The railroad cooperated because it thought the Act imposed unnecessary costs via the purchase of additional railroad cars. When Plessy was told to vacate the whites-only car, he refused and was arrested.

At trial, Plessy’s lawyers argued that the Separate Car Act violated the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments. The judge found that Louisiana could enforce this law insofar as it affected railroads within its boundaries. Plessy was convicted.

(snip)

Welcome to America.

[Karma13612]

24. And don't forget the Venezuelan

connection as well.

She fights for Democracy in a country targeted by Trump who has ordered attacks on their fishermen/unproven “drug cartels” in international waters.

[Irish_Dem]

29. A small piece of justice for those murdered in cold blood by Trump.

[Cirsium]

70. She supports that

She supports what Trump is doing.

[Irish_Dem]

84. I just read that. :(

[AloeVera]

87. She's right-wing, supports the sanctions and would love regime change by the US. e

Her hands are not clean. AND she's a Trump acolyte. I'm pretty shocked she was chosen. It tells me even the Nobel Committee is not immune to being hoodwinked. To think it might be even more than that is too demoralizing.

[EX500rider]

96. "supports the sanctions and would love regime change by the US"

Which sanctions, the US ones or the EU ones?
The EU has a sanctions regime in place against Venezuela, which was last renewed and expanded in January 2025. The sanctions include an arms embargo, asset freezes, and travel bans on specific individuals accused of undermining democracy and human rights in the country.

The 70% or so of Venezuelans who didn't vote for Maduro after he stole the last elections would also welcome regime change.

[Cirsium]

121. Right

So what?

The MAGAs here are welcoming the destruction of the country and the rise of fascism for the sake of regime change, to get rid of us evil "far left radicals."

[EX500rider]

122. The so what is the EU isn't far right and they have sanctions so it isn't just us

They know a repressive dictator when they see one

[Cirsium]

123. But that isn't the issue

Regardless of how bad Maduro supposedly is, there is no excuse for supporting fascism. We are talking about Machado. But even if the discussion were not about Machado, our focus still should not be on Madoro, but rather on the global right wing movement which is by far the greater threat to us than the regime in Venezuela.

Since the end of the Second World War, U.S. foreign policy has displayed a predictable pattern. Progressive states unwilling to submit to U.S. dictates are branded as “dictatorships,” “terrorist sponsors,” or, in Venezuela’s case, a “narcotic state.”

Through sanctions, blockades, and financial strangulation, Washington seeks to suffocate economies until populations turn against their governments. Africa has experienced this repeatedly, with sanctions weaponised against countries that dared to assert independence.

From Iraq to Libya, Afghanistan to Grenada, U.S. wars have toppled governments, destroyed infrastructure, and left millions dead. Africa, too, bears scars of this adventurism from NATO’s destruction of Libya to covert destabilisation across the Sahel.

At the core lies the desire to seize oil, minerals, and strategic territories for Western corporations. This same resource plunder defined the colonial experience of Africa and now defines Washington’s aggression against Venezuela.

https://www.blackagendareport.com/venezuela-imperialism-and-global-struggle-sovereignty

On September 2, President Trump publicly announced a lethal attack on a boat allegedly carrying drugs and tied to the Tren de Aragua, an extinct Venezuelan criminal gang that the US government claims is still active and operating on US soil. The US Intelligence Community reportedly denied ties between President Nicolas Maduro and these claims. Nonetheless, these allegations have been used to justify the invocation of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 for the third time in history – the first during the War of 1812 and the second during World War II – now targeting Venezuelans living in the US during peacetime. This led to the deportation of 252 Venezuelans, without due process, and to their imprisonment and torture in a concentration camp in El Salvador. Some were even separated from their children.

Trump’s rhetoric has also linked Venezuelan immigrants to criminality and mental illness, aligning with the nativist agenda in his own base. Driven by his policy of immigrant expulsion, the US migrant population dropped by 1.4 million between January and June of 2025, according to the Pew Research Center, causing the immigrant share of the population to decrease from 15.8 to 15.4 percent. After breaking diplomatic and consular ties in 2019 over the recognition of a self-proclaimed President, direct deportations were halted until February 2025, when the US allowed Venezuelan planes to repatriate migrants. Venezuela had already been implementing its Return to the Homeland (Vuelta a la Patria) program since the pandemic, but its airline was banned from the US by sanctions. The Trump Administration also increased its internal persecution of Venezuelans by ending temporary migratory measures set under the Biden Administration.

In the weeks leading up to the UN address, Trump claimed that at least two more lethal attacks on boats were carried out, posting videos that only showed people being killed by aerial bombardment, with no independent verification of the drug trafficking claims or the victims’ nationality. The Venezuelan government has also denounced the harassment of Venezuelan fishermen by US military officers. During his UN speech, Trump boasted that “there aren’t too many boats that are traveling on the seas by Venezuela,” suggesting that all sea vessels are now under threat. Furthermore, he also openly claimed that President Maduro was leading “terrorist and trafficking networks”, without presenting any evidence. In August, the bounty for Maduro’s capture was raised to USD 50 million, despite earlier intelligence community reports reportedly disregarding the claim.

Venezuela, its government, and its citizens are currently under threat from the most powerful military power in the world. Yet Venezuela has continued to seek a peaceful resolution. President Maduro sent a letter to Trump in the first week of September via an intermediary, calling for dialogue and refuting the drug-trafficking claims. The historical precedent of Operation Brother Sam in 1964 — where the deployment of US warships near Brazil catalyzed the military overthrow of democratically-elected president João Goulart is a parallel that hints at a regime change operation. The difference is that this time, there have been no anti-government defections.

https://www.blackagendareport.com/we-will-blow-you-out-existence-trumps-caribbean-spectacle

[Justice matters.]

41. Pedofelon will blow a few more fishing boats.

Let's hope not.

[Cirsium]

64. What difference does that make?

Brown female? Brown female fascist, and an ally of Trump.

[Irish_Dem]

68. Yes it doesn't matter to Trump. Loyalty/ ass kissing is the only thing he cares about.

[avebury]

8. Exactly

She is the anti Trump.

[Cirsium]

71. She is a Trump supporter

María Corina Machado, a Venezuelan opposition leader recently awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, has been an outspoken supporter of President Donald Trump, describing him as the “biggest opportunity we’ve ever had” for regime change in Venezuela.

She has also called Trump “courageous” and a “visionary” for his policies toward her country, praising his administration’s efforts to isolate President Nicolás Maduro diplomatically and economically while advocating for democratic reforms.

"I have to say that I'm very grateful to the administration and to President Trump for his position on Venezuela. It has been unwavering support," Machado said.

https://www.newsweek.com/what-nobel-winner-maria-corina-machado-said-about-donald-trump-10859500

Opposition leaders María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia expressed their support for the strategy of the President of the United States, Donald Trump, regarding Venezuela.

Both confirmed having had conversations with Richard Grenell, Trump's special envoy, during his recent visit to Caracas, where he met with the dictator Nicolás Maduro.

https://en.cibercuba.com/noticias/2025-02-03-u1-e197721-s27061-nid296644-maria-corina-machado-edmundo-gonzalez-confian

[Shrek]

79. She is not the anti-Trump

In fact she dedicated the prize to him.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220711892

[LisaM]

11. You're exactly right.

I had the same thoughts, but you summed it up better than I could have.

[Cha]

53. No Doubt! the US Traitor Lost to

a Fighter for Democracy And an Inspiring Woman of Color. DEI!

[Cirsium]

72. She is an extreme right winger

She is an extreme right winger and an ally of Trump. I think she is of European descent, a descendant of the 3rd Marquis of Toro, Sebastián José Antonio Rodríguez del Toro y Ascanio (1739–1787).

[Cha]

73. Wow... then why is she fighting for Democracy

in Venezuela and why did she get the Nobel Peace Prize?

TY

[Cirsium]

75. She isn't

She isn't fighting for democracy. She is fighting for control over the resources of her country by US and European corporations, ala Kissinger and Pinochet in Chile. Her support comes from the US government, especially the extreme right wing faction here, and the US corporate media.

[Cha]

78. Okay.. then the Peace Committee was

Last edited Fri Oct 10, 2025, 09:49 PM - Edit history (1)

was So Wrong they Choose her?!

[Cirsium]

80. Yes

As they were with Kissinger.

Machado’s treatment by the Venezuelan government has arguably erred more on the side of leniency than severity. In most other countries, a person with her rap sheet would be behind bars. In the US, for example, 467 individuals involved in the 2021 Capitol riot have been sentenced to incarceration for offenses far less egregious than Machado’s.

Back in 2002, Machado signed the Carmona Decree, establishing a coup government. Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez had been deposed in a military coup backed by the US. The constitution was suspended, the legislature dismissed, and the supreme court shuttered.

Machado was subsequently banned from running from public office after she served as the diplomatic representative for Panama in order to testify against her own country. She was also implicated in tax evasion and fraud along with coup attempts. In addition, the hard-rightist had called for a military intervention by the US and for harsh economic coercive measures.

https://www.blackagendareport.com/why-us-reimposing-sanctions-venezuela

[Cha]

81. She's exhausting. Thanks for

the information.. I cand stop congratulating now.

[EX500rider]

97. Or the person you are talking to is wrong

[Cha]

102. There have been lots of receipts all

over this board,, board, though.

I guess we'll find out more... Maria Machado is "praising" Traitor.

[riversedge]

3. Agree.

[GusBob]

54. Why? Do think she will stand up to Trump?

See post 18.

[Irish_Dem]

57. I just read her quote. They should take away the Peace Prize right away.

[Cirsium]

63. We have plenty

We don't need another extreme right wing leader here.

[bmichaelh]

4. Good choice

It was a good choice by committee.

Not everyone is transactional like Donald Trump.

I doubt Trump will get the message about supporting democracy.

Glad it did not go with any of the authoritarian leaders of the world.

[JoseBalow]

7. From the country drumpf is trying to start a war with

Chef's kiss!

[LymphocyteLover]

15. exactly!

[Cirsium]

85. With her support

Machado supports what Trump is doing.

[gordianot]

9. Pop goes the slap in the face.

It was so loud it woke me up!

[MLWR]

10. Take that, Mr. Dictator-Wannabe.

Considering the reasons given for her win, I really, really hope this means that dictator-wannabe TACO will never get this prize.

[Justice matters.]

42. Pedofelon will never get this prize.

Way too much innocent blood on his tiny hands (COVID mismanagement, USAID cuts, and fishermen boats).

Edited to add: (January 6 CPOs) Never Forget!

[Gimpyknee]

12. I bet Donny Dementia's BP will be a record high at his doctors appointment today.

[Paladin]

13. HAHAHAHAHA!

[LymphocyteLover]

14. Schweeeeeet!!!

There's gonna be a lot of ketchup thrown and angry Truth Shithole posts today

[Mawspam2]

16. Donnie Two-scoops is gonna have a hissy!!

[Katinfl]

17. If it was ever awarded to him it would tarnish the meaning of it forever.

Nobel Peace Prize and trump should never be connected in any way. Can’t wait to hear what he says about not it now.

[karin_sj]

18. I'm very glad Trump didn't win, but..

I really don't understand the statement she made described in the Newsweek article:

"The U.S. has sent its warships, aircraft and submarines to the Caribbean, in what the Trump administration has described as a “counter-drug operation.” But Machado told The Sunday Times that Trump was right to bomb the boat and described the move as “courageous” and “visionary.” "

How can anyone support bombing a boat full of people that could be fishermen. And even if the boats were loaded with illegal drugs, it is illegal and immoral to just bomb them without verifying they are carrying drugs and most of all, without their right to due process.

[Karma13612]

31. Well, then I need to read more about what is happening there.

This must pertain to actions this administration is taking against the authoritarian rule in Venezuela.
She is looking at the bigger picture I think.

So, I need to understand where she coming from. Looks like I have my homework assignment.

[druidity33]

34. more will come out about her that is... unpalatable.

Personally i do not think she deserves this prize. Maybe if the Nobel was about promoting Democracy? (Even then someone should ask her if Trump won in 2020)

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/maria-corina-machado-nobel-prize-trump-venezuela-b2843103.html

"Some Venezuelans distrust her as a result of thinly veiled calls for a foreign military intervention to unseat Maduro in the past. She argued in 2019 that only a “a real, credible severe and imminent threat” of the use of international force would convince Maduro to leave power.

Others are suspicious of her ties to radical rightwing politicians such as Trump and Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro."

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/maria-corina-machado-nobel-prize-trump-venezuela-b2843103.html

"In September, the U.S. military attacked a Venezuelan speedboat carrying 11 people. The army claimed that the boat was carrying drug traffickers, but Venezuela insisted that only fishermen were on board.

Tensions between Venezuela and America soared following the attack, but Machado insisted to The Sunday Times that Trump was right to bomb the boat.

“I totally support his strategy,” Machado said. “And I’ve said on behalf of the Venezuelan people that we are very grateful. I think it is the right thing to do. It’s courageous. It’s visionary.”"

[ancianita]

67. Agree. That "Machado insisted to The Sunday Times that Trump was right to bomb the boat" does not sound peaceful, imo.

Her goal of democratic ends (getting Maduro out) doesn't justify the means trump used to murder by military bombing.

If Machado thinks trump wants to help end the Maduro regime so her beloved Venezuelans can have democracy, Machado is naive. At best.
Is she really that unaware of trump's designs to control Venezuela's two major oil beds?

Based on some of its past awards, the Nobel Committee again sent a political message.

Sure, democracies can and should be bastions of peace, but given America's own history of unjust peace (the latest e.g. being that the schizoid leadership claim that the very name Dept of War will prevent war, while sending any form of US military to occupy political opponents' cities and states-- THIS time) this country's no longer any example to other democracies.

That Machado would align herself with this particular leader is disappointing.

Of course I knew trump wouldn't win the prize; still, I'm surprised at how disappointed I feel overall, when the committee's official statement about why they awarded her the prize doesn't align with her political activity.

I'd have preferred the prize committee priortize those who've saved many lives and been most humanitarian in their work, like Sudan's Emergency Response Rooms, that provided critical humanitarian support with food, medical care, and help with evacuations in war-torn areas; or
like International Court of Justice (ICJ), or especially
Chef Jose Andrés.

Just my opinion.

[Cirsium]

86. She has supported many

She has supported many fascists.

[druidity33]

92. I share your opinions here.

I think it would have been heroic to give it to Greta, but i also knew that was highly unlikely. It's always more appropriate to me when it's someone not famous who has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to really change something. I was really impressed by Narges Mohammadi after reading about her when she won in2023.

Keep on keepin' on

[cab67]

46. You know what?

Many in the Venezuelan opposition have expressed support for this sort of thing - not because they necessarily like Trump (they can see he's a clown), but because they see US intervention as the best opportunity to remove Maduro. They called for American intervention when Biden was in office, too. They'd be calling for it had Harris won.

I do not, in any way, support what Trump has done. His orders to attack civilian boats off the Venezuelan coast is a war crime, and he should end up in The Hague along with the Secretary of Defense and any of the personnel who opened fire on the boats.

Nor do I think the US should actively depose Maduro. The solution must be political.

That said, Maduro is not a good guy, and just as I can understand Israeli anger in the aftermath of the Hamas attack while still being sympathetic to the plight of Gaza and West Bank Palestinians, I can understand how opponents to Maduro in Venezuela might not oppose a violent overthrow. I don't agree with it, but I can see why they might feel that way.

Many apologists for Maduro in the US point to the way he, and Chavez before him, lavished resources on impoverished communities. But they did so by placing their bets on the Venezuelan oil industry, and when the price of oil dropped in the oughts, the Venezuelan economy went toes up. And the people in these impoverished communities never seem to move out of poverty - most of the expenditures have been cosmetic.

I've been there and seen it for myself.

[Cirsium]

88. Maduro is not relevant

It doesn't matter what he is. She has aligned herself with extreme right wing figures around the world, including Trump.

[cab67]

90. Oh, it absolutely matters.

Maduro is a brutal dictator.

I have a good friend and collaborator (scientific) who had to flee Venezuela when he was tipped off that the police were coming for him. He managed to get his family safely to Colombia. HIs only "crime" was being an academic.

Seriously - opposing Maduro from within Venezuela is an act of extreme courage.

I didn't say I concur with the approaches she endorses - only that I understand why she might have done so.

And as I've said, she isn't necessarily aligning herself with right-wing ideologues. She's pushing for regime change, and the vector is not that important to her. There were efforts from within Venezuela to have Biden intervene. They also called for Obama to do so.

Biden and Obama did the right thing by not intervening, but having been to Venezuela, I can understand why some in that country would like to see an outside power - even gringoes, who would otherwise be seen (correctly) as colonialists - do something.

[Cirsium]

91. You don't care?

Seriously? She is not in any danger. She has been treated very leniently. She is a supporter of fascist leaders around the world. So what? Wow.

[Polybius]

93. Maduro is far worse

I hope she gets installed (but not by us, some other way).

[Cirsium]

107. Wow

I have no words.

Better Hitler than the Bolsheviks?

[Polybius]

128. Wow what?

Maduro illegally barred her from running last year, and stole the election against Edmundo González.

Machado is far from Hitler. If anything, she's more compared to Giorgia Meloni. Right-wing, but if she loses she won't cling to power. Maduro is Fidel Castro. I'll take Meloni any day over Castro, and twice on Tuesdays.

[Cirsium]

130. She was involved in a coup

She has been very gently treated, given that.

[Polybius]

134. One that was well deserved

Maduro (and his predecessor) is a dictator that doesn't believe in election freedom.

[cab67]

94. I care about context.

I know several people in Venezuela. When I've seen them outside of Venezuela (international scientific meetings). they've expressed thoughts similar to those some associate with this year's Nobel Peace Prize honoree - that anything that would bring regime change would be acceptable to them. Whether or not I agree, I've seen enough to help me appreciate why they hold these views.

I take exception to your dismissal of my opinions as "so what?" I never said that. I explained that I understand their perspective, whether or not I agree with it.

A neighbor of mine lost his daughter to murder. This neighbor is now whole-heartedly in support of the death penalty. I oppose capital punishment with all of my being, but I can see why he sees things differently. That's what I'm doing here.

[Cirsium]

120. Anything?

Anything that would bring regime change would be acceptable to them, including fascism, including selling off the country's resources to US corporations? You appreciate why they hold these views?

That is the logic behind the Palmer Raids, McCarthyism, HUAC, the Red Scare, the blacklist, the Cold War, the terror regimes in Latin America, the fascist movements in Europe in the '30s, the Viet Nam war, mass murder in the Philippines and Indonesia, and on and on.

[cab67]

126. I don't know what their limits are. You'd have to ask them.

[Cirsium]

129. OK

But what are your limits?

[cab67]

132. I've already expressed them.

I oppose a military overthrow of the Venezuelan government. The solution will have to be political.

[Cirsium]

133. Thanks

...

[EX500rider]

99. "Many apologists for Maduro in the US point to the way he, and Chavez before him, lavished resources on impoverished.."

"....But they did so by placing their bets on the Venezuelan oil industry,"

They did no such thing, they have wrecked the local oil industry.
1st fired all the competent workers and replaced them with loyal toadies and chased away the foreign firms who had the needed expertise.


As for "lavished resources on impoverished", their policies ARE the reason they are impoverished.
Venezuela's annual income has been volatile, with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita decreasing from around $15,943 in 2014 to $3,307 in 2022, and a recent 2024 estimate of $4,070 per capita. The total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) followed a similar trend, dropping from $482 billion in 2014 to $89 billion in 2022

[cab67]

109. I stand by what I wrote.

Hugo Chavez's original efforts were based on the assumption that Venezuela's oil reserves could fund his populism. Maduro hasn't figured out that it can't.

[EX500rider]

111. facts show otherwise IMO

Mass firing of experts: In 2003, after a major strike, then-President Hugo Chávez fired around 18,000 experienced PDVSA employees,
(PDVSA stands for Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A) nearly half the workforce. He replaced them with loyalists who lacked the technical skills to run the complex oil operations.

Loss of expertise: The departure of geologists, engineers, and other experts resulted in a catastrophic brain drain that PDVSA has never recovered from.

Use of funds for political projects: Instead of reinvesting profits into the company, both Chávez and Nicolás Maduro used PDVSA as a political tool to fund social programs and cronies. This diverted billions of dollars that were desperately needed for maintenance and upgrades.

Systemic embezzlement: Corruption became rampant within PDVSA, with billions of dollars siphoned off through fraudulent contracts and kickback schemes. Investigations have revealed massive theft, including one cryptocurrency-based scheme that lost the company billions.

Dilapidated equipment: The chronic lack of investment has left refineries and pipelines in a state of decay. This has led to dangerous conditions, frequent breakdowns, and environmental disasters, including massive oil spills in Lake Maracaibo.

Inability to process heavy crude: Venezuela's extra-heavy crude requires specialized techniques and investment to refine. Without foreign capital and technical know-how, PDVSA has become largely unable to exploit the country's vast reserves efficiently.

Seizure of foreign assets: In 2007, Chávez expropriated assets from major foreign oil companies like ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips. This drove away foreign investment, which was essential for developing Venezuela's heavy crude reserves.

[cab67]

112. I don't think we disagree.....

[Shrek]

50. She praised him on Twitter

Link to tweet

[Cha]

55. What Was That!!

Be nice to the Neo Nazi monster. to soften the blow of what could happen since she won the Nobel Peace Prize?

[EX500rider]

100. Where is the "praise" in that statement?

[EX500rider]

98. The "fishing boat" meme is kind of silly IMO

While killing drug smugglers is wrong, actual South American fishermen don't have multiple expensive high powered gas guzzling outboards on their boats, nor do they run at high speed (high gas consumption) and they have lots of fishing gear in evidence, not lots of plastic wrapped packages taking up most of the floor space. Just a single 300hp Mercury outboard is over $32,000.

My 1st job was on a charter fishing boat in the Gulf of Nicoya in Costa Rica and have seen many a local commercial fishing boat for comparison.

You have this type:
?w=480&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max

Or this:


Or Charter fishing for tourists:

[spudspud]

20. ROFLMAO. Glad they didn't fold to pressure from old Voldy.

[KS Toronado]

21. The Committee should award dumpie The Nobel PIECE Prize

Because he demands a piece of this and a piece of that in kickbacks, plus he loves a
piece of young girls.

[Ziggysmom]

23. Must burn his fat orange ass that Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama have won the award.

[Wild blueberry]

26. Gloria al Bravo Pueblo

Here's to the Venezuelan people! May you prevail.
I lived in Venezuela when I was 7 to 9, so it has a special place in my heart.
Thank you.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

32. This makes me smile

[riversedge]

33. CONGRATULATONS "Maria Corina Machado, for her tireless work upholding democratic rights for Venezuelans"

[Cirsium]

89. She is an extreme right winger

She is an extreme right winger and a supporter of Trump. She is not "upholding democratic rights for Venezuelans" any more than Trump is upholding democratic rights for us.

[riversedge]

35. Molly Jong-Fast: It really feels like they're trolling our autocrat.

I do believe they were!


Molly Jong-Fast
‪@mollyjongfast.bsky.social‬
It really feels like they’re trolling our autocrat.
‪Reuters‬
‪@reuters.com‬
· 5h
'When authoritarians seize power, it is crucial to recognize courageous defenders of freedom who rise and resist,' the Norwegian Nobel Committee said as it announced Maria Corina Machado as the winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize

It really feels like they’re trolling our autocrat.

— Molly Jong-Fast (@mollyjongfast.bsky.social) 2025-10-10T11:20:58.507Z

[Sneederbunk]

37. The US may have lost its mind, but Norway hasn't.

[KPN]

39. Kicked! Wonderful news to wake up to and start the day. Can't help smiling already.

[republianmushroom]

40. The orange one having a bad day. chuckle chuckle

[Akakoji]

43. And Dedicates it to Trump

Again, he deserves recognition here. Still want to see him support Ukraine over Russia though.

[Farmer-Rick]

48. She is a staunch defender of capitalism

She is the banker's choice for president.

[thought crime]

58. Yes, this is a hero of the right.

[EX500rider]

101. Right, cause the current command economy has worked so well for Venz.

[Farmer-Rick]

118. She just dedicated her "peace" prize to pedo Trump

Last edited Sat Oct 11, 2025, 03:52 PM - Edit history (1)

Two peas in a pod. She and Trump have very similar opinions about controlling a nation.

How's pedo Trump improving the US economy anyway?

[HappyLarge]

49. This selection is a direct rebuke of

the rising tide of right wing power grabs across the world. The fact that’s she’s a woman is just icing on the cake. I hope pumpkin spice pol pot has an stroke.

[IbogaProject]

60. How, exactly?

iShe is a right winger, herself. She has asked for foreign military intervention.

Remember the Nobel prize is blood money from TNT and Smokeless Rifle Powder. It was founded due to Nobel being ashamed at the destruction wrought by his inventions.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

115. Foolish.

"I dedicate the prize to the suffering people of Venezuela and to President Trump for his decisive support of our cause!"

She wants American military interference in Venezuela.

[eringer]

51. Take a Letter Maria

Thank you for being you.
RB Greaves

[Cha]

52. EDITED.. I was WRONG to think she was a good

Last edited Fri Oct 10, 2025, 10:48 PM - Edit history (2)

Choice for the NPP.

And, since learned much more about her... Thanks to Cirsium

[GusBob]

105. I'm surprised at this

Get woke, she is a Trump lover

[Cha]

108. I didn't know what she was when

I posted that.. But Cirsium gave me some information on her so now I know.

Cirsium was kind when he told me how wrong in that post was.

[Cirsium]

56. "Extreme neoliberal shock therapy"

She is an extreme right wing politician.

Machado was the main Venezuelan opposition figure backed by the US. Her platform of extreme neoliberal shock therapy was rejected by the electorate. Most Venezuelans oppose her call to privatize nearly all state institutions serving the people – schools, hospitals, public housing, food assistance, and the state oil company, which funds social programs. Nor is there any popular appetite for Machado’s plan to radically reorient foreign policy to subordination to Washington and support of US imperial wars in Ukraine and Palestine.

Democracy? Hardly.

Turkewitz reported that Machado won “an overwhelming victory in a primary race.” She uses the weasel-construction “a primary” rather than “the primary,” because Machado’s “primary” was not one conducted by the official Venezuelan electoral authority, the CNE. Rather, it was a private affair administered by the NGO Súmate. That NGO, as the article admits, is funded by the US. Machado prevailed in a crowded field of 13 candidates with a miraculous 92% of the vote. When some of the other candidates called fraud, Machado had the ballots destroyed. She could do so because Súmate is her personal organization.

She is a puppet for the right wing in the US.

There were a number of more moderate opposition figures with experience and popular followings. Had the US been interested in simply an electoral defeat of the ruling Socialist Party, they could have backed a less extreme candidate and offered to ease their punishing “sanctions” on Venezuela. Instead, Washington backed the far right, which took the supremely unpopular position of advocating for yet more sanctions on their own country to precipitate regime-change.

https://dissidentvoice.org/2024/11/us-backed-venezuelan-opposition-never-tried-to-win-the-presidency/

She dedicates her Nobel prize to Donald Trump.

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado rang in her Nobel Peace Prize victory Friday by dedicating the award to the people of Venezuela fighting for freedom — and President Donald Trump, who has publicly lobbied for the prize for himself

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/10/maria-corina-machado-trump-nobel-prize-dedication-00601967

Anti-authoritarian? No. She is the Venezuelan Trump.

Shortly after the announcement, Machado publicly addressed President Donald Trump. She wrote, "Hoy más que nunca contamos con el Presidente de los EEUU" ("Today more than ever we count on the President of the USA&quot , signaling that she expects U.S. support for her cause. She also asserted that Venezuela is "on the threshold of victory" in its struggle for freedom.

https://www.latintimes.com/venezuelan-leader-mari-corina-machado-mentions-trump-her-first-words-after-winning-nobel-peace-590372

She is a close ally of our worst political opponents.

María Corina Machado’s connections with the Republican Party date back almost two decades, when, in 2002, she was received in Washington DC by the then president of the United States, George W. Bush, with whom she had a meeting at the White House.

The Republican link has become more explicit since the United States launched the political strategy of economic and financial aggression against Venezuela through illegal sanctions, which was followed by an international campaign that tried to present the situation in Venezuela as a "humanitarian emergency" to justify different mechanisms of foreign interference.

María Corina Machado acted as the ideological and political vanguard of the initiatives that Republican Senator Marco Rubio and associated personalities were carrying out, such as the sanctions and other "humanitarian intervention" agendas.

https://misionverdad.com/english/venezuela-opposition-politician-maria-corina-machados-ties-florida-republicans-and-bolivar

Another Pinochet?

María Corina Machado, the leading figure in the far-right sector of the Venezuelan opposition, has revealed details about her private intervention before the Americas Society/Council of the Americas (AS/COA): a strategy she has dubbed “The Trillion-Dollar Opportunity.”

AS/COA is a New York-based non-governmental organization founded in 1965 by billionaire David Rockefeller and consisting of two bodies. The first, the Americas Society, is a forum for discussion on policy within the inter-American system. Its second component, the Council of the Americas, brings together international business groups promoting neoliberal policies in the Western Hemisphere.

Machado’s offer of millions of hectares of the country for the benefit of foreign companies suggests another avenue of privatization, since such a vast territory encompasses agricultural land in the hands of the state but also vast amounts of land under conventional private ownership and some 14 million hectares handed over to families and peasant organizations over more than 20 years, under the country’s existing land allocation models.

The figure of 30 million “undeveloped” hectares is extremely striking because it declares the country’s fertile territory as idle land, precisely when Venezuela has achieved 97% of its food supply thanks to domestic production. In this way, Machado distorts reality by making a deceptive offer to US capital and puts the country’s agricultural lands, which already have owners and tenants, up for sale.

https://orinocotribune.com/maria-corina-machado-offers-to-sell-off-venezuela-for-a-billion-dollars/

She loves Trump.

Machado had heaped praise on Trump earlier this year — thanking the POTUS for his “firm commitment to freedom and democracy in Venezuela”. The comments came soon after the US President decided to end the license for American energy giant Chevron to operate in the other country. She had also received a ringing endorsement from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio after being listed in the ‘100 most influential people’ list by TIME Magazine this year.

https://www.financialexpress.com/world-news/when-nobel-peace-prize-winner-mara-corina-machado-praised-trump-and-rubio-hailed-her-patriotism/4005848/

Trump, Bolsanaro, Milei, Abascal and Machado: birds of a fascist feather

Donald Trump and Jair Bolsonaro, the former right-wing presidents of the US and Brazil, congratulated La Libertad Avanza (LLA) candidate Javier Milei for winning Argentina’s presidential elections on Sunday.

“Congratulations to Javier Milei on a great race for President of Argentina. The whole world was watching! I am very proud of you. You will turn your Country around and truly Make Argentina Great Again!” posted Trump on his Truth Social account.

Santiago Abascal, leader of Spanish far-right party Vox also congratulated Milei on social media. “Congratulations, dear Milei on your great victory in the Argentine presidential elections,” he said. “A path of future and hope is opening up for the Argentineans and for Ibero-America, which we celebrate in Spain with a special joy. Long live Spain, long live Argentina, live free of socialism and sovereigns!”

María Corina Machado, the opposition leader in Venezuela, also celebrated on X. “Congratulations to all Argentines for an exemplary electoral project and their president-elect, Javier Milei. The fight for change and freedom moves forward in Latin America. Long live Argentina, long live free Venezuela!”

https://buenosairesherald.com/politics/elections/trump-bolsonaro-and-voxs-abascal-congratulate-javier-milei

[thought crime]

61. Yeah, all our "critical thinkers" might want to check it out a little before cheering.

The Nobel committee didn't award the prize to Trump, but to a person who is distinctly from the right or even far-right.

Think anti-Castro Cubans or Contras.

[Cha]

106. I know Now... Cirsium, the first reply to

me filled me in. And I've done a 180..

They were nicer about it, though.

I'm going to go edit that post.

[IbogaProject]

62. Yep horrible choice for the "Peace" prize

The problems in Venezuela are mostly due to our Embargo depriving the country of needed trade. I have personally worked with one of the Heads of their Psychiatric Association and a senior drug treatment professional from there. Before our embargo ratcheted up Venezuela had one of the highest contributions to foreign aid.

[EX500rider]

103. "The problems in Venezuela are mostly due to our Embargo depriving the country of needed trade"

The economy had crashed way before that due to gross mismanagement.
Starting around 2013, WAY before any economic sanctions.

[niyad]

65. Heartsick. Would you consider posting this as its own OP for wider

Last edited Fri Oct 10, 2025, 05:37 PM - Edit history (1)

visibility, and so we can bookmark?

[Cirsium]

74. Yes, it is

I wanted to encourage people to look a little more closely at this. Latin American politics are complicated and most people in the US are pretty ignorant about the topic (not that I claim any great expertise). "If you've seen one Hispanic you've seen them all" seems to be the attitude. There is a lot of ideological ground between Mario Rubio and Evo Morales.

The Portuguese and Spanish were ruthless and murderous invaders in the hemisphere. Their descendants have remained in power, often with US support and training, and through brutal terror campaigns, since the earliest days. Indigenous peoples suffer mightily to this day.

I will see if I can put an OP together that will withstand the potential blow back.

[niyad]

76. Greatly appreciated and thank you.

[Remball]

59. Peace Prize

She dedicated her prize to the people of Venezuela and Donald Trump.

[niyad]

66. Bookmarking.

[Montauk6]

69. Sanity will out

[DoBW]

77. suck it

"Suck it, loser!" - Nobel Peace Prize winning President Barrack Obama

#DonaldTrump #NobelPrize

— Paulley Ticks (@tomadelsbach.bsky.social) 2025-10-10T19:05:40.828Z

[electric_blue68]

110. BAAAHAHAHAAAAA! Ok, maybe AI is good occasionally...

unless, someone did a great photoshop on their own w/o AI. Would be even better!

[DoBW]

124. hear this one?

— J. C. Cantwell 🌻 (@segfaultvicta.aludel.xyz) 2025-10-10T17:32:36.018Z

[electric_blue68]

125. Heh! TY. (boo, hoo 😄)

[Aussie105]

82. It's complicated . . .

can't quite get my head around it being a good/bad thing.

But Donnie will be spitting out his breakfast hamburder when he finds out.

[Cirsium]

83. Press release

Press release from ther Council on American–Islamic Relations

CAIR Calls on Nobel Peace Prize Winner Maria Machado to Renounce Her Support for European Fascism, Likud Party and Anti-Muslim Bigotry

“The Nobel Peace Prize should go to individuals who have shown moral consistency by bravely advocating justice for all people, not to politicians who demand democracy in their own nation while supporting racism, bigotry and fascism abroad.

“We strongly disagree with the Nobel Prize committee’s decision to award this year’s peace prize to Maria Corina Machado, a supporter of Israel’s racist Likud Party who earlier this year delivered remarks at a conference of European fascists, including Geert Wilders and Marie Le Pen, which openly called for a new Reconquista, referencing the ethnic cleansing of Spanish Muslims and Jews in the 1500s.

“We call on Ms. Machado to renounce her support for the Likud Party and anti-Muslim fascism in Europe. If she refuses to do so, the Nobel Prize committee should reconsider its decision, which has undermined its own reputation. An anti-Muslim bigot and supporter of European fascism would have no place being mentioned alongside the likes of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and other worthy winners of the Nobel Peace Prize.”

“The Nobel Peace Prize committee should instead recognize an honoree who has shown moral consistency by bravely pursuing justice for all people, such as one of the students, journalists, activists, medical professionals who have risked their careers and even their lives to oppose the crime of our time: the genocide in Gaza.”

https://www.cair.com/press_releases/breaking-cair-calls-on-nobel-peace-prize-winner-maria-machado-to-renounce-her-support-for-european-fascism-likud-party-and-anti-muslim-bigotry/

[AloeVera]

127. She is sickening for all the reasons you've laid out throughout this thread.

Hats off to you.


How easily people are led astray by a good propagandist. See it over and over again.

[BlueWavePsych]

95. Kick

[Blues Heron]

104. Who will Trump murder next to satisfy his rejected ego? Will Miller present a new killing as a salve to his boss?

[mathematic]

113. Hypocrisy: When Zelensky is allowed to praise Trump to free his country but Machado isn't.

You should examine your values if you think authoritarian socialism is preferable to a conservative-valued liberal democracy. There are actually a lot of "democratic" socialists that would prefer the current government of Venezuela rather than one democratically governed by a Thatcher type.

It's fucking deplorable.

[EX500rider]

116. Exactly, but Tankies gonna Tank..... nt

[ForgoTheConsequence]

114. Weird that people are celebrating her.

"I dedicate the prize to the suffering people of Venezuela and to President Trump for his decisive support of our cause!"

She wants Trump to intervene in Venezuela. No new wars for "peace". No new wars to spread MAGA.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

117. Bomb Venezuelan boats lose to a Venezuelan

[Cirsium]

119. ...who supports him

The Nobel Prize went to a person who supports Trump bombing Venezuelan boats.

[róisín_dubh]

131. A hard right Latin American

Fucking gross. What a ridiculous choice.

The Latin American right is as bad as our own. Probably worse in some instances: they’re actually fine with murdering their own.