The Norwegian Nobel Committee said Machado was chosen 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.”
Trump, who reportedly lobbied heavily for the award, failed to make the shortlist.
Rumors had circulated that he might win after claiming credit for brokering a Gaza cease-fire and “ending seven wars.”
However, most of those conflicts — including US strikes in Iran, Yemen, and Somalia — began under his own administration.
Nina Graeger, director at the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), told Al Jazeera that a Trump victory “would be surprising,” noting his diplomacy “has not yet produced a substantial enough contribution to peace.”
She added that his record — marked by military escalation, withdrawal from global agreements, and attacks on democratic norms — contradicts the purpose of Nobel’s legacy.
According to the Norwegian Nobel Institute, 338 nominations were received this year — 244 individuals and 94 organizations.
The committee, appointed by Norway’s parliament, maintains strict confidentiality and prioritizes sustained peacebuilding over self-promotional diplomacy.
Past laureates include Malala Yousafzai and Joseph Rotblat, both recognized for their long-term advocacy against violence and nuclear weapons.