Journalist Proposes Renaming Nobel Peace Prize Amid Controversy

Veteran journalist Alex Lo has suggested a provocative renaming of the Nobel Peace Prize to the “Nobel War Prize.” This remark comes in response to the recent awarding of the prize to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who has been criticized for her past support of foreign intervention in Venezuela. The Nobel Committee hailed Machado as a champion of peace, claiming she embodies the spirit of democracy, a characterization that has sparked debate.

Critics argue that Machado’s history complicates her image as a peacemaker. In a piece for the South China Morning Post, Lo highlighted her ties to U.S. political figures, noting that she was nominated for the prize by then-Senator Marco Rubio and supported by Mike Waltz, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Lo contends that Machado does not align with the ideals envisioned by Alfred Nobel.

In 2019, Machado stated that only a credible threat of international military force could displace Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Additionally, she publicly endorsed U.S. President Donald Trump‘s military presence in the Caribbean, raising concerns about her affiliations with right-wing politicians, including Trump and Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro. These connections have led analysts to question her commitment to peaceful resolutions.

Following the announcement of Machado’s Nobel award, the Venezuelan government took action by closing its embassy in Oslo, which officials described as part of a restructuring of its foreign service. Venezuela also shuttered its embassy in Australia while establishing new diplomatic missions in Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso, countries it views as strategic allies against perceived hegemonic influences. The Norwegian foreign ministry expressed regret over Venezuela’s embassy closures, emphasizing that the Nobel Prize operates independently of the Norwegian government.

Maduro has not issued a formal statement regarding Machado’s Nobel recognition but referred to her as a “demonic witch” during a recent address, a term frequently used by his administration. Despite being barred from the upcoming 2024 presidential election, Machado dedicated her Nobel Prize to the suffering people of Venezuela, acknowledging Trump’s significant support in her political endeavors.

In a separate incident, Machado called for an investigation after two Venezuelan activists, Luis Alejandro Peche and Yendri Velasquez, were shot and wounded in Bogota, Colombia. The activists were reportedly targeted by Maduro’s regime, according to local police reports.

The ongoing tensions surrounding Machado’s recognition and Venezuela’s political landscape highlight the complexities of international diplomacy and the varied interpretations of what constitutes peace in a region marked by unrest.