Finding out the news. October 2025

“Oh my God… I have no words.”

Listen to the emotional moment this year’s laureate Maria Corina Machado finds out she has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Kristian Berg Harpviken, Director of the Norwegian Nobel Institute, shared the news with her directly before it was announced to the world.

Kristian Berg Harpviken: Hello? 

Maria Corina Machado: Hello? 

KBH: Yes, hello? Am I talking to Maria Corina Machado? 

MCM: Yes, this is Maria Corina. 

KBH: Yes, Maria Corina. My name is Kristian Berg Harpviken. I am the Secretary of the Norwegian Nobel Committee in Oslo. And I’m calling to inform you that in a few minutes it shall be announced here at the Nobel Institute that you will be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2025.  

MCM: Oh my God. Oh my God. 

KBH: Enormous congratulations to you, Maria. 

MCM: Oh my God. Well, I have no words. Thank you so much, but I hope you understand this is a movement. This is an achievement of a whole society. I am just one person. I certainly do not deserve this. Oh my God. 

KBH: I think both the movement and you deserve it. I’m sure this comes as a surprise and I’m sorry to have to wake you up in the middle of the night to convey this. We don’t have much time. We actually are making the announcement just in a few minutes. I want to quote just shortly from the text that will be announced shortly, where it is said that you are receiving the prize for, and here I quote directly from the announcement, “for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.” 

MCM: I’m honoured, humbled. I am very grateful on behalf of the Venezuelan people. We are not there yet. We’re working very hard to achieve it, but I’m sure that we will prevail. And this is certainly the biggest recognition to our people that certainly deserve it. So, thank you very much. Thank you very much. 

KBH: I’m very happy to hear your reaction. I do have to ask you, Maria, not to reveal this in the next five minutes until the official announcement is made here in Oslo, which is at 11 o’clock a.m. local time, 5 o’clock your time. After that, of course, you are more than welcome to tell anyone you would like. By experience, we know that the news will be out. 

MCM: I think it will take me a lot longer to believe what I’ve just heard. Wow. Thank you very much. It’s an honour. I know it’s a recognition to our people, to the Venezuelan people. Thank you so much. 

KBH: It certainly is. But it’s also a recognition of yourself and what you have done. I look very much forward to speaking with you soon again. 

MCM: Me too. Thank you so much. Thank you very much. I am more or less speechless, but thank you. Thank you. 

KBH: Thank you. 

First reactions. Telephone interview, October 2025

“I am just part of a huge movement. I’m humbled, I’m grateful and I’m honoured.”

In this interview, recorded directly after the news was broken, she describes how honoured she feels, and highlights the strength of her fellow Venezuelans. “I accept this is as a recognition to our people, to the millions of Venezuelans that are anonymous and are risking everything they have for freedom, justice and peace and I’m absolutely convinced that we will achieve it.” Maria Corina Machado was interviewed by Robyn E. Hardy, Assistant Research Manager at the Norwegian Nobel Institute.

Robyn Hardy: Hello, Maria, can you hear me? 

Maria Corina Machado: Yes, I can hear you.  

RH: Hi, my name is Robyn Hardy, and I work at the Norwegian Nobel Institute. First of all, congratulations. How are you feeling right now?  

MCM: I don’t know. I’m still processing, I think this is, what can I tell you? I mean, this is something that I believe the Venezuelan people deserve. I am just part of a huge movement. I don’t know, I’m humbled, I’m grateful, and I’m honoured not only by this recognition, but I’m honoured to be part of what’s going on in Venezuela today. Very grateful, thank you. 

RH: Good, I’m so glad to hear that. What changes do you hope to achieve with this prize? 

MCM: It has been a very long journey at a very high cost for Venezuelan society. For many years, the world didn’t realise how hard, how difficult, how painful and destructive this process had been. And the Venezuelan people persevered. I believe that we are very close to achieving finally freedom for our country and peace for the region. I believe that even though we face the most brutal violence, our society has resisted and insisted to struggle through civic means and peaceful means. I believe that the world will now understand how urgent it is to finally succeed because of the implications, not only I insist for Venezuela and Latin America, this will have enormous impact for the hemisphere, the whole hemisphere, and for the world. 

RH: How do you think your fellow Venezuelans will react to this news? 

MCM: I think that in the moment we need most to stay strong, united, and focused, because we’re facing and living the darkest hours. But at the same time, there’s enormous hope that has been rising in the last times. 

RH: The news is probably breaking right now. It’s being broadcasted from downstairs. You’re probably going to be getting quite a few phone calls.  

MCM: I’m getting… everything’s, oh my God. [Laughs] 

RH:  It’s really happening.  

MCM: Oh my God. I can’t believe this is true. 

RH: I can confirm it is true, absolutely. And well deserved. We’re aware that you’ve been having to live in hiding after threats have been made to your life. What do you think the chances are that you will be able to come to Norway to celebrate with us in December? 

MCM: I trust the Venezuelan people and I trust our allies. I definitely believe we are in the final stage of a very long, painful struggle for freedom. Certainly it would be the highest honour to represent my country and meet you personally. 

RH: Would you like to say anything else before we sign off? 

MCM: Well, I want to insist that I accept this as a recognition to our people, to the millions of Venezuelans that are anonymous and that they’re risking everything they have for freedom, justice and peace. I’m absolutely convinced that we will achieve it. Thank you very much. 

RH: Oh, you’re very welcome. Congratulations once again.