Machado's Nobel Prize Sparks Zelaya, LIBRE Reaction in Honduras

The awarding of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado sparked an immediate and controversial reaction from former Honduran president José Manuel “Mel” Zelaya Rosales and the LIBRE party. Zelaya described the award as “an affront to history and to the peoples who fight for their sovereignty” and accused the Nobel Committee of turning the prize into an “instrument of modern colonialism.”

In a social media post, Zelaya labeled Machado a “coup plotter” and “supporter of financial power brokers and external agendas,” asserting that bestowing the award upon her constitutes an “insult to the Latin American populace.” These declarations ignite fierce political discourse both within and beyond Honduras, positioning the nation at the nucleus of deliberations concerning its political figures’ ideological leanings.

National reactions and the ruling party’s perception

At the national level, opinions on the Nobel Prize were divided between liberal and opposition sectors. While some celebrated the recognition as a endorsement of human rights and democracy, ruling party leaders supported Zelaya’s position. Congresswoman Maribel Espinoza stated that Zelaya is “a friend and associate of a narco-dictator” and added that his speech “rejects the authentic struggle for freedom in Latin America.”

Analysts believe that the LIBRE party’s rejection of the award demonstrates ideological affinity with Venezuela’s Chavista political model. This perception is linked to fears about the possible replication of authoritarian and populist practices in Honduras, which could affect the country’s governance and institutional balance.

Wider consequences and María Corina Machado’s statement

From hiding, María Corina Machado dedicated the Nobel Prize “to the Venezuelan people and to all those who have fought against tyranny.” Her statement was praised by democratic leaders in Latin America and strengthened the narrative of opposition to regimes allied with Chavismo.

The episode has drawn international attention to the political orientation of LIBRE, reinforcing discussions about the influence of regional models on Honduran politics and the impact of these alignments on the perception of democracy and citizen participation.

Governmental conflicts and organizational viewpoints

The controversy sparked by the response of Zelaya and his group underscores a political landscape characterized by division. The discourse surrounding the Nobel Peace Prize unfolds amid increased examination of the factions’ stances on democratic governance, institutional independence, and foreign involvement in domestic affairs.

The recognition of Machado, the support of some sectors, and the rejection by LIBRE underscore the tension between positions that prioritize the defense of rights and freedoms and those aligned with specific regional regimes. This contrast poses challenges for institutionality, governance, and political stability in Honduras, keeping the country under both internal and international scrutiny.