AFPI Statement on María Corina Machado Receiving the Nobel Peace Prize

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) congratulates Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado on being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Her courage, strength, and commitment to Venezuela’s freedom make her one of the most important voices for democracy in the Western Hemisphere today.

“María Machado’s leadership is a rejection of socialism, authoritarianism, corruption, and foreign interference in our hemisphere,” said Greg Sindelar, CEO of the America First Policy Institute. “We are proud to stand with leaders like her and with the Venezuelan people as they fight to reclaim their future. Supporting their freedom is part of protecting our own.”

“María Corina Machado has stood tall in the face of death threats, political persecution, and the full weight of a criminal narco-regime,” said Melissa Ford Maldonado, Director of AFPI’s Western Hemisphere Initiative. “This prize honors her, but it is also a symbol of hope for the millions of Venezuelans, both inside and outside the country, who never stopped resisting tyranny. Liberation is no longer a distant dream. It’s coming.”

For too long, Venezuela has been a cautionary tale, an example of what happens when tyrants take over, institutions collapse, and the world looks the other way. María Corina never looked away. She stepped up, spoke out, and stayed in the fight. Her example reminds us what real leadership looks like: fearless, unwavering, and rooted in love for her country.

María Machado dedicated the Nobel Peace Prize to the “suffering people of Venezuela and President Trump,” demonstrating the respect President Trump has earned throughout the world and the inspiring symbol of freedom that the United States continues to provide. Her work encourages those fighting for liberty in her home country, Cuba, Nicaragua, and beyond, showing the world that courage is critical when tyrants take power.