Machado’s Nobel Reflects Venezuelans’ Democratic Hopes: UN

© WikiCommons — María Corina Machado (centre) participates in a demonstration in Caracas, 2019.

The UN human rights office (OHCHR) on Friday welcomed the Nobel Peace Prize committee’s decision to name opposition leader María Corina Machado as this year’s laureate, recognising her efforts to promote the Venezuelan people’s democratic aspirations.

“We congratulate María Corina Machado on being announced as the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize,” said OHCHR spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan.

“This recognition reflects the clear aspirations of the people of Venezuela for free and fair elections, for civil and political rights, and for the rule of law. The High Commissioner has consistently spoken out in support of these values.”

The 58-year-old politician, who was barred from running in last year’s presidential elections, remains in hiding inside Venezuela. She was briefly detained after attending an opposition rally in January but was reportedly released following international pressure.

Ms Machado thanked the Nobel committee for the honour, calling it “the achievement of a whole society…I am just one person. I certainly do not deserve this.”

Opposition figures held incommunicado

Strong evidence of severe restrictions on civic freedoms in Venezuela has been documented in multiple reports mandated by the Human Rights Council.

Earlier this year, independent human rights investigators reporting to the Council in Geneva urged authorities to end the reported practice of holding political opponents incommunicado.

They said these “targeted detentions” were illegal and amounted to enforced disappearance — a serious human rights violation and potentially an international crime.

The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has also consistently expressed concern over alleged abuses in the Latin American nation.

In December 2024, Mr Türk condemned the “disproportionate use of force and violence” during post-electoral protests earlier that year, “including by armed individuals supporting the government,” which resulted in at least 28 deaths.

In July, the Venezuelan National Assembly declared Mr Türk and OHCHR staff persona non grata, effectively halting UN human rights work in the country.

Universal rights

Speaking to journalists in Geneva, Mr Al-Kheetan stressed that OHCHR sought to engage with the Venezuelan government and all other stakeholders.

“We remain firmly committed to defending and protecting the human rights of all Venezuelans, whether they are in Venezuela or abroad, based on verified information and with victims at the centre of our work,” he said.

“The bottom line is that we need more engagement with the authorities,” he continued, noting that the National Assembly had regrettably voted to declare the High Commissioner persona non grata.