• Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize.
• Trump supporters express disappointment over the Nobel Committee's decision to snub the former president.
• Machado dedicates her award to Trump, crediting him for his support of Venezuela's pro-democracy movement.
• The response to her Nobel win reveals deep political divisions in Venezuela and concerns over US intervention.
• Criticism arises over Machado's previous support for Israel's military actions and calls for intervention in Venezuela.

Maria Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader, has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her relentless pursuit of democratic rights amidst a brutal dictatorship. The Nobel Committee praised her 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," a significant recognition that coincides with Venezuela's ongoing political turmoil, marked by the authoritarian reign of Nicolás Maduro, according to SCMP and Bloomberg.

The Nobel win also elicited a sharp reaction from the White House, which accused the Nobel Committee of “placing politics over peace” as it highlighted President Donald Trump's snub despite his self-proclaimed efforts in global diplomacy. Trump's representatives noted that he had actively campaigned for the award while continually asserting his contributions to resolving global conflicts, reports India Times and Los Angeles Times.

In a notable response, Machado dedicated her prize to Trump, acknowledging his “decisive support” for the pro-democracy movement in Venezuela. Machado stated, "We are on the threshold of victory and today, more than ever, we count on President Trump, the people of the United States, the peoples of Latin America, and the democratic nations of the world as our principal allies," as reported by Channel News Asia and AA.

Conversely, Machado's award has sparked backlash over her past statements supporting Israel and her calls for foreign intervention in Venezuela. Critics argue this undermines the essence of the Nobel Peace Prize, as her previous endorsements of military action raise questions about her commitment to genuine peaceful resolution, according to Latin American Post and Reuters.

The diverse reactions in Venezuela highlight a nation deeply divided on Machado's leadership and her alignment with U.S. policies, reflecting broader regional tensions exacerbated by foreign influence and interventionist strategies. While some view her Nobel recognition as a beacon of hope amidst despair, others see it as a catalyst for intensified conflict, as noted by Los Angeles Times and Africanews.