The Unseen Work of Peace: Why Machado Prevailed

The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize is a celebration of the unseen work of peace-building. María Corina Machado was honored not for a single, dramatic event, but for the years of patient, difficult, and often invisible labor required to build a unified democratic movement.
While the world’s attention was on Donald Trump’s headline-grabbing diplomatic summits and ceasefire deals, Machado was engaged in the less glamorous work of negotiating with rival factions, organizing grassroots support, and crafting a shared political platform.
The Nobel committee, in its citation, made it clear that they saw and valued this work. By calling her a “key, unifying figure,” they acknowledged the immense skill and dedication required to achieve consensus in a fractured political environment.
The White House statement, in contrast, focused on the visible and dramatic, praising Trump’s ability to “move mountains.” This highlighted a fundamental difference in what each side considers to be the most important aspect of peacemaking.
Machado’s victory is a powerful reminder that the foundations of peace are often laid far from the spotlight, through the tireless and unseen efforts of dedicated individuals. The Nobel committee has ensured that, for once, this crucial work is visible to all.