Nobel Committee Welcomes Machado's Return to Venezuela, but Says a Democratic Transition Is Still Required

The Norwegian Nobel Committee on Tuesday welcomed the return of 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado to Venezuela, saying it hoped her return would "strengthen the democratic opposition and its peaceful struggle for democracy," in a statement signed by committee chair Jørgen Watne Frydnes.

The statement is short, three paragraphs, and its final line carries its main message. "Much has changed in recent months, but the task remains urgent: Venezuela still requires a democratic transition founded on fundamental rights, political participation and free elections," Frydnes wrote. The committee does not say what has changed, and it does not name Venezuela's government, the United States or any other country.

The committee recalled the reason for the prize. Machado received the 2025 Peace Prize "for her tireless work to advance democratic rights in Venezuela and for her struggle for a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy," the statement says, and has been "a key figure in the opposition's demand for free elections and representative government."

Machado returned on Sunday after 10 months abroad and was greeted by tens of thousands of supporters, Reuters reported. Her return followed several failed attempts that strained her relationship with President Donald Trump's administration, according to the same report. The Hindu, citing the committee's statement, reported that the committee said Venezuela needs democratic change despite her return.

The statement is narrowly worded: it "welcomes" the return and "expresses its hope," without endorsing any political program or electoral timetable.

The committee's 2025 citation spoke of a transition "from dictatorship to democracy." Tuesday's statement says that transition is still required, without describing Venezuela's current government in any terms.

What remains unknown: what political role Machado will take now that she is back, whether Venezuelan authorities will restrict her movements, and whether any election timetable will be announced.