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... The committee said Machado received the prize for her "tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela" and keeping "the flame of democracy burning."

Machado is a unifying figure in the opposition movement. She was set to run for president in 2024, but her candidacy was blocked by the regime. She has, with few exceptions, been in hiding ever since, and she continues to speak out for democracy.

Kristian Berg Harpviken, the director of the Norwegian Nobel Institute, shared the news with her before announcing it to the world.

Machado described the award as the "biggest recognition" ever given to her movement. She said: "I have no words. Thank you so much, but I hope you understand that this is a movement, this is an achievement of a whole society. I am just one person. I certainly do not deserve this."

She posted on social media on Friday that the prize would give her people a boost to "conquer freedom." She praised Trump's "decisive support" and dedicated the award partly to him.

The head of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Joergen Frydnes, told NHK that the choice of Machado highlights the importance of democracy.

Frydnes said: "Venezuela is in deep both financial and humanitarian crisis. It lives under a brutal dictatorship which represses its population and the opposition, but we're also living in a world where we see more and more authoritarian states." ...