Merz congratulates Venezuelan politician Machado on Nobel Peace Prize

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has congratulated Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, who is considered an adversary of authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro, on winning the Nobel Peace Prize.

"Democracy thrives on the courage of individuals," Merz wrote on X on Friday. "[Machado] has been tirelessly fighting for freedom and the rule of law in Venezuela for years - values for which we stand worldwide."

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul also praised the Venezuelan opposition leader on X "as a voice for [freedom] worldwide." He said that the courage, strength and perseverance with which Machado keeps the hope for democracy alive in Venezuela is admirable.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee had announced earlier Friday in Oslo that Machado was being honoured "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."

The Nobel Peace Prize is generally regarded as the most important political award in the world.

US President Donald Trump repeatedly stressed in recent weeks that he should be awarded the prize.