2025 Nobel Peace Prize Sparks Global Backlash Over Venezuela, Sanctions, and War Rhetoric

Jamaica Live International News– | Dec 23, 2025

The awarding of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has ignited widespread controversy, with critics, peace organizations, and social movements arguing that the decision reflects geopolitical alignment rather than a commitment to peace.

Accusations of Politicization

Many critics contend that Machado’s selection was driven by her alignment with Western—particularly U.S.—foreign policy objectives toward Venezuela. They argue that the prize has been used to legitimize external pressure and regime-change strategies rather than to reward nonviolent conflict resolution.

Advocacy for Foreign Intervention

Central to the backlash is Machado’s long record of advocating international intervention against the government of President Nicolás Maduro. This includes her 2018 appeal for an “international peace mission,” public support for U.S. military operations in the Caribbean, and repeated calls for “maximum pressure” on Caracas. In past statements, Machado has asserted that “the only path left is the use of force,” language critics say directly contradicts the principles outlined in Alfred Nobel’s will.

Praise for Donald Trump and Sanctions Policy

Upon receiving the prize, Machado dedicated it in part to then–U.S. President Donald Trump, praising his “decisive” actions against the Maduro government. The Trump administration imposed sweeping economic sanctions and deployed military assets near Venezuela—measures critics described as military intimidation.

Machado has consistently defended U.S. sanctions, despite reports linking them to severe humanitarian consequences, including shortages of food and medicine and tens of thousands of excess deaths. Humanitarian groups argue that endorsing such policies is incompatible with a peace award.

Endorsement of Military Actions

Further controversy followed Machado’s approval of recent U.S. military strikes in the Caribbean. While the Trump administration said the operations targeted drug traffickers, critics and UN experts characterized the actions as extrajudicial killings, citing reports that at least 87 people were killed. These endorsements intensified opposition to her Nobel recognition.

Economic Vision and Foreign Investment

In a separate interview with Donald John Trump Jr., Machado outlined a sweeping neoliberal vision for Venezuela, declaring, “Forget about Saudi Arabia—we have more oil and infinite potential.” She said her plan includes opening markets, removing the current government from the oil sector, and privatizing major industries. Emphasizing Venezuela’s oil, minerals, land, and technology, Machado described U.S. companies as being in a “super strategic position” to invest, adding that “good people are going to make a lot of money.” Critics argue these remarks reinforce perceptions that the prize rewards policies favoring foreign corporate interests.

Peace Community Boycotts

Opposition extended to Norway itself. Several peace organizations boycotted the award ceremony, asserting that honoring a politician who supports sanctions and military force violates the spirit and intent of the Peace Prize. The Norwegian Peace Council broke with tradition by refusing to organize a torchlight procession in Machado’s honor, citing incompatibility with nonviolent conflict resolution.

Legal Challenge by Julian Assange

In December 2025, Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, filed a criminal complaint in Sweden against the Nobel Foundation. Assange accused the committee of turning an “instrument of peace into an instrument of war” and called for the freezing of the 11 million Swedish kronor prize money, alleging it could facilitate war crimes. Swedish authorities confirmed receipt of the complaint, though jurisdiction remains disputed.

Diplomatic Fallout

Researchers at the Peace Research Institute Oslo warned that the award could undermine Norwegian-facilitated dialogue efforts between the Venezuelan government and opposition groups, potentially damaging prospects for a negotiated settlement.

Nobel Committee’s Defense

The Nobel Committee has rejected accusations of politicization, stating that Machado was honored “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 committee’s chair emphasized that responsibility for a peaceful transition ultimately rests with the Maduro government.

Despite this defense, many international observers maintain that the 2025 award marks one of the most divisive Nobel Peace Prizes in recent history—raising fundamental questions about whether the prize is being used to promote peace or to endorse geopolitical power plays.