Overview
- Norwegian Nobel Committee cited Machado’s tireless defense of democratic rights and efforts toward a just, nonviolent transition from Maduro’s rule.
- The Nobel Institute opened an investigation after Polymarket odds on Machado spiked hours before the announcement, rising from about 3.75% to nearly 73%.
- Institute director Kristian Berg Harpviken said espionage is very likely behind a possible pre-announcement leak, while spokesperson Erik Aasheim called a digital leak plausible.
- A small number of bettors reportedly won significant sums, including roughly 300,000 Norwegian kroner shared across a few accounts, one created the day of the wager.
- International reaction split sharply, with EU and UN figures praising the choice as opponents inside Venezuela celebrated quietly under repression, and the White House saying the committee put politics before peace; Machado dedicated the prize to Venezuelans and to President Trump for his support.