Nobel Prize as a Shield: How the Award May Protect Machado

For María Corina Machado, the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize is not just an honor; it’s a shield. The immense international prestige and visibility that come with the award can offer a significant degree of protection to an opposition leader operating in a hostile political environment.
Authoritarian regimes are often more hesitant to target or persecute Nobel laureates, as such actions would trigger immediate and widespread international condemnation. By awarding her the prize, the committee has raised the political cost of any potential crackdown against her.
This protective aspect of the prize is likely a key, if unspoken, part of the committee’s calculation. They have a history of awarding the prize to dissidents at risk, using the award’s global platform to safeguard their work and their lives.
This contrasts with a candidate like Donald Trump, who already enjoys the security and platform that comes with being a former U.S. President. The prize would have been a validation for him, but for Machado, it is a vital lifeline.
While the White House focused on Trump’s own power in its response, the Nobel committee has bestowed a different kind of power upon Machado. It is the soft power of international legitimacy, a potent force that may prove crucial in her ongoing struggle for a democratic Venezuela.