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By Amir Daftari
News Reporter
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Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has sharply attacked opposition leader María Corina Machado, calling her a “demonic witch” days after she was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize.
Machado, whom the Nobel Committee commended 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,” has praised U.S. President Donald Trump for supporting Venezuela’s pro-democracy movement.
There has been mounting political tensions in Venezuela in recent weeks amid the escalating confrontation between Caracas and Washington, which has deployed naval forces to the region in a show of pressure against Maduro’s regime.
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Newsweek has contacted Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry for comment.
Why It Matters
Machado’s Nobel recognition underscores the global spotlight on Venezuela’s political turmoil. The country has endured years of economic collapse, hyperinflation and authoritarian rule under Maduro, whose government has repeatedly targeted opposition figures. Machado’s prominence highlights the struggle for democratic rights and the broader regional implications of Venezuela’s crisis.
The award also intersects with U.S.-Venezuela relations. Under Trump, the U.S. has deployed naval forces to Caribbean waters near Venezuela to counter drug trafficking linked to the country’s criminal networks. These deployments included patrols and targeted strikes on vessels suspected of smuggling narcotics. Machado’s vocal support for these U.S. operations has intensified tensions both domestically and internationally, raising concerns about the consequences of foreign involvement in Venezuela’s political crisis.
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What To Know
During a speech commemorating Indigenous Resistance Day on Sunday, Maduro accused Machado of calling for foreign intervention.
“Ninety percent of the population rejects the demonic witch Sayona,” he said, adding that Venezuelans wanted not only peace but “peace with freedom, with sovereignty.”
The term “Sayona” references a vengeful spirit from Venezuelan folklore. It is frequently used in state media to disparage Machado, who is often called “La Sayona.”
Machado dedicated her award to the “suffering people of Venezuela” and to Trump, praising his international efforts and role in pressuring Maduro toward democracy.
On Friday, Trump confirmed he had spoken with Machado, describing her as “very nice” during their call.
“The person who actually won the Nobel Prize called me today and said, ‘I’m accepting this in honor of you because you really deserved it,’” the U.S. president said. “A very nice thing to do. I didn’t say, ‘Then give it to me,’ though I think she might have. She was very nice.”
The Nobel Committee’s decision has received a mixed response. Supporters view the award as recognition of the Venezuelan opposition’s resilience, while critics warn that it could provoke harsher crackdowns by Maduro’s regime.
Some also see the prize as providing a de facto green light for increased U.S. pressure on Caracas, reigniting debate over external influence in Venezuela’s political crisis and the broader role of international actors in shaping democratic outcomes.
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What People Are Saying
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado wrote on X on October 10: “I dedicate this prize to the suffering people of Venezuela and to President Trump for his decisive support of our cause.”
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said on Sunday: “Ninety percent of the population rejects the demonic witch Sayona. We want peace, and we will have peace, but peace with freedom, with sovereignty**.”**
What Happens Next
Machado’s Nobel Peace Prize is likely to intensify political polarization in Venezuela. Though the recognition strengthens Machado’s international profile, Maduro is expected to continue targeting the opposition to consolidate support.
The development also increases attention on U.S.-Venezuela relations and underscores the role of foreign powers in the country’s ongoing political crisis.
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