WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz praised Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado after she won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday.
Wasserman Schultz, a Democrat, released a statement saying Machado shines a guiding light for all who challenge threats to democracy as authoritarianism rises.
“For years, she has fearlessly confronted the murderous Maduro regime and given voice to the Venezuelan people’s demands for the restoration of the rule of law, a free press, and fair and transparent elections,” Wasserman Schultz wrote.
Machado, 58, has been in hiding since January in Venezuela. She disputed President Nicolás Maduro’s reelection last year and declared that the opposition’s data showed voters had elected Edmundo González, the candidate she campaigned for.
“No one is more deserving,” Wasserman Schultz wrote.
After her last public peaceful demonstration, Machado was last seen riding in the back of a motorcycle in Caracas. Maduro’s loyalists issued a warrant for González’s arrest, so he traveled out of Venezuela and found refuge in Spain.
“In the past year, Ms. Machado has been forced to live in hiding. Despite serious threats against her life, she has remained in the country, a choice that has inspired millions, Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel committee, said during the announcement.
Maduro’s loyalists disqualified Machado from running against him last year and declared him a winner. Human rights activists reported there were protests, and political activists were imprisoned and killed.
“Her dedication to peace in the midst of Maduro’s brutality is an inspiration to Venezuelans and all who fight these same threats, even here in America,” Wasserman Schultz wrote.
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The Venezuelan people have received this recognition from the Norwegian Nobel Committee with immense emotion and renewed hope.
— María Corina Machado (@MariaCorinaYA) October 10, 2025
The greatest tribute to Alfred Nobel's legacy will be to secure the transition to Democracy, conquer our Freedom, and thus achieve Peace.
Venezuela… https://t.co/evQVnOZPz0
Los venezolanos hemos recibido con inmensa emoción y renovada esperanza este reconocimiento del Comité Noruego del Nobel.
— María Corina Machado (@MariaCorinaYA) October 10, 2025
El mayor tributo al legado de Alfred Nobel será asegurar la transición a la Democracia, conquistar nuestra Libertad y, de esta forma, alcanzar la Paz.… https://t.co/ewNBtFSTog
En nombre del pueblo de Venezuela, GRACIAS. pic.twitter.com/hF31DRXC7k
— María Corina Machado (@MariaCorinaYA) October 10, 2025
“Oh my god… I have no words.”
— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) October 10, 2025
Listen to the emotional moment this year’s laureate Maria Corina Machado finds out she has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Kristian Berg Harpviken, Director of the Norwegian Nobel Institute, shared the news with her directly before it was… pic.twitter.com/OCUpNz752k
In the past year, #NobelPeacePrize laureate Maria Corina Machado has been forced to live in hiding. Despite serious threats against her life she has remained in the country, a choice that has inspired millions of people.
— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) October 10, 2025
When authoritarians seize power, it is crucial to… pic.twitter.com/GA3C7asz4Y