Trump's Venezuela Policy and Nobel Peace Prize Nomination Spark Global Debate

Venezuela continues to face a severe humanitarian and political crisis, characterized by repression, widespread shortages, and the persecution of dissenters. Since 2013, the nation has experienced systematic assassinations, torture, and political persecutions, often met with subdued international responses.

In this challenging environment, former U.S. President Donald Trump implemented a notably assertive policy. In March 2025, his administration enacted Executive Order 14245, imposing a 25% tariff on goods from nations importing Venezuelan oil. This measure aimed to exert economic pressure on Nicolás Maduro's government and its international partners. Analyses suggest these sanctions have contributed to Venezuela's economic contraction, impacting oil production and access to essential goods, with reports indicating billions in lost annual oil revenue and complications in importing necessities due to the nation's reliance on oil exports for foreign currency.

Concurrently, during Trump's tenure, he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in June 2025. Congressman Buddy Carter championed this nomination, citing Trump's role in mediating a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. This nomination, among others from various global leaders, highlighted the often controversial nature of the Nobel process, where nominations are submitted by eligible individuals and institutions, and the committee's deliberations remain confidential for 50 years. The public nature of these nominations frequently ignites significant media attention and debate regarding the criteria for peace.

However, Trump's policies toward Venezuela have faced criticism. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Adolfo Pérez Esquivel strongly criticized U.S. intervention, characterizing it as an attempt to instigate conflict and warning against military engagement in the region. This perspective highlights the deep divisions in international approaches to resolving the Venezuelan crisis.

In contrast, the Venezuelan opposition, led by figures such as María Corina Machado, has actively sought international backing to pressure the Maduro regime. Machado herself was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in August 2024 for her persistent advocacy for peace and democracy in Venezuela. Her nomination reflects a broader movement within Venezuela striving for democratic restoration, often at significant personal risk.

Ultimately, Donald Trump's engagement with Venezuela and his Nobel Peace Prize nominations encapsulate the intricate dynamics of the South American nation's crisis and the varied global viewpoints on achieving stability and peace.