On the morning of October 10, Venezuelans across the world woke up to the historic news that the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize had been awarded to opposition leader María Corina Machado, sparking an immediate wave of hope, reflection, and renewed international attention on Venezuela’s long struggle for democracy and civil liberties.
That same afternoon, as messages and gatherings multiplied across the Venezuelan diaspora, NORVEN Alliance received an invitation from the Nobel Peace Center to participate the very next day in a public conversation about what this recognition meant for Venezuelans and for the global commitment to democratic rights. From the announcement to the Nobel Peace Center The event at the Nobel Peace Center on October 11 convened diplomats, journalists, civil society representatives, and members of the Venezuelan community in Norway. NORVEN Alliance Founder, Sonia Zapata, was invited to speak along with Amnesty International Norway about the symbolic weight of the Prize, its perception among Venezuelans after years of crisis and repression, and why sustained international awareness remained essential. The dialogue helped center Venezuela’s democratic struggle within broader discussions on peace, human rights, and civic resilience. The Peace Prize Torchlight Procession (Fakkeltoget): A civic tradition at stake A few days later, public attention shifted again when it became known that the Norwegian Peace Council (Norges Fredsråd) would not arrange the traditional Nobel Peace Prize Torchlight Procession (Fakkeltoget) in 2025, as they decided in 2012 when the European Union received the Nobel Peace Prize. The Norwegian Peace Council is an umbrella organization for peace and humanrights groups in Norway. It is not part of the official Nobel institutions but have been responsible for the organization of this 80-years long complementary event to honor those recognized with the Nobel Peace Prize with torches indicating hope in dark times. The organization regrettably stated that it would not organize the 2025 parade because, according to some of its members, this year’s prize was not aligned with Nobel principles and values. Upon receiving this news and after discussions with the Nobel organization and the Municipality of Oslo, NORVEN ALLIANCE stepped forward to ensure continuity of the tradition and assumed the responsibility for the 2025 Torchlight Procession, safeguarding a cherished civic ritual that symbolizes hope, solidarity, and a shared commitment to human dignity. The 2025 Peace Torchlight Procession was a resounding success, with more than 800 torches distributed, that were not enough to meet the full demand of the large crowd. NORVEN Alliance also organized an artistic performance outside the Nobel Peace Center prior to the parade and a later diaspora encounter that hosted more than 300 Venezuelans coming to celebrate the award from all corners of the world. We are proud to share that the success of these events was possible due to the efforts of our team of engaged and devoted volunteers that worked around the clock for two months, all in close collaboration with members of the laureate’s team in VENTE Mundo and with the support of the Nobel Peace Center and the Municipality of Oslo. The Ceremony at Oslo’s Townhall The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize ceremony on 10 December 2025 took place as usual in Oslo’s City Hall and was marked both by solemnity and by the absence of laureate María Corina Machado, whose dangerous clandestine journey out of Venezuela prevented her from reaching Norway in time. Her daughter, Ana Corina Sosa Machado, accepted the prize and delivered Machado’s Nobel Lecture. From the podium, Jørgen Watne Frydnes, Chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, delivered a powerful and moving award ceremony speech, praising Machado’s “tireless struggle” for democracy and documenting the brutality of the Venezuelan regime. His address set the moral tone of the event and underscored the international significance of Machado’s fight. For us, and for the many Venezuelans who filled the hall, the moment was profoundly emotional. Seeing our country’s democratic struggle recognized on the Nobel stage — and hearing Machado’s words read by her daughter — moved many to tears. The atmosphere captured the mixture of grief, hope, and resilience that characterizes the Venezuelan diaspora’s long fight for freedom. Our team was proud to participate both in the ceremony and the evening banquet, leaving us inspired to continue working on diaspora-led democratic efforts. Impact and significance of the 2025 Prize This Nobel Prize not only honored Venezuelan courageous opposition leader María Corina Machado for her unwavering and exemplary fight for democracy and freedom in Venezuela; it also brought renewed global attention to Venezuela and recognized the resilience of the Venezuelan people, inspiring the slogan “The Nobel is Ours”. Likewise, the Prize led to the opening of a dedicated exhibition in the Nobel Peace Center until September 2026 titled “Democracy on the brink”, which explores the current struggle for democracy in Venezuela and why it concerns us all at a time when democracy is under threat worldwide. The Center has also sponsored a series of “Nobel Peace Talks” for discussing issues in connection to democracy, such as “the Dictator’s Playbook”and“What about human rights and political prisoners”, where members of NORVEN Alliance have taken part as panelists. Finally, the intense public interest surrounding the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize also generated significant media attention. NORVEN Alliance participated in interviews with several major outlets and was referenced in numerous articles and broadcasts discussing the Prize and the Peace Parade. Highlighted coverage includes: This visibility strengthened our mission to bring international attention to Venezuelan civic efforts and the role of diaspora communities. Videoer Gallery
2025 Nobel Peace Prize: A turning
point for Venezuelans everywhere
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