Norwegian Peace Council rejects Nobel Prize awarded to Maria Corina Machado

247 - The Norwegian Peace Council announced on Friday that it will not hold its traditional torchlight procession through the streets of Oslo this year, an event that celebrates the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize. The decision reflects the organization's disagreement with the selection of Venezuelan María Corina Machado as the winner of the 2025 edition.

Citing the EFE news agency, the Globovisión It highlights that the Council, which brings together 17 peace organizations and around 15 Norwegian activists, declared that "the members do not feel that this year's winner is in line with the core values ​​of the Norwegian Peace Council or its members."

"A difficult but necessary decision," says the president of the Council.

The president of the institution, Eline H. Lorentzen, explained that the decision was made in respect for the principles of the peace movement. “It’s a difficult but necessary decision. We have great respect for the Nobel Committee and the institution of the peace prize, but as an organization, we need to be true to our principles and the broad peace movement we represent. We hope to be able to celebrate the prize again in the coming years,” she stated.

In an interview with the newspaper VG, Lorentzen highlighted that some of María Corina Machado's methods and stances "are not in line with our principles and values, nor with those of the organizations that make up the Council, such as the encouragement of dialogue and non-violent methods."

A break with historical tradition.

The torchlight procession, held annually since the mid-20th century, is a symbol of the celebration of peace and solidarity among peoples. This year's cancellation marks an unprecedented break with this tradition, revealing the dissatisfaction of Norwegian pacifist sectors with the politicization of the award winner's selection.