María Corina Machado, a prominent Venezuelan opposition leader, has been honored with the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize for her unwavering commitment to advancing democratic rights. The Nobel Committee lauded the 58-year-old activist as a beacon of hope in challenging times, describing her as a figure who “keeps the flame of democracy alive amidst growing darkness.” Machado’s relentless efforts to facilitate a peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy were particularly highlighted. Despite being forced into hiding and barred from the recent presidential election by the Nicolás Maduro regime, Machado remained in Venezuela, mobilizing widespread public support for the opposition. Her resilience in the face of potential arrest has cemented her status as a powerful symbol of resistance. Notably, the committee emphasized that their decision was rooted solely in the principles established by Alfred Nobel, dismissing other high-profile campaigns, including that of former U.S. President Donald Trump.