"Today’s Nobel Peace Prize to María Corina Machado is, above all, a prize for democracy.
Research shows that democracy is an important precondition for peace. At a moment when authoritarianism is on the rise across the world, this award highlights the courage of those who defend freedom with ballots, not bullets.
Machado’s courageous commitment to free and fair elections and accountable governance in Venezuela reflects the belief that lasting peace is built on the foundations of democracy.
This year, PRIO’s own shortlist for the Nobel Peace Prize emphasized the crucial role of election observers – the very work Machado has long contributed to – underscoring that credible elections remain the cornerstone of democracy and peace."
