The Norwegian Nobel Committee stated that “Maria Corina Machado’s winning of the Nobel Peace Prize is the result of her relentless work defending democracy for the people of Venezuela,” adding: “Corina Machado demanded judicial independence and fought for years for the freedom of the Venezuelan people.”

The statement added, “The Venezuelan Maria Corina Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize due to her struggle to achieve a fair and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy, striving for free and fair elections and fighting for years for the freedom of the Venezuelan people.”

The committee confirmed that Maria Corina Machado united her country’s opposition and did not hesitate to resist the militarization of Venezuelan society. In response to a question about why U.S. President Donald Trump did not win the Nobel Peace Prize, they said: “We base our decision on Alfred Nobel’s will.”

Trump has openly expressed his desire to win the prize, which was awarded to four of his predecessors: Barack Obama in 2009, Jimmy Carter in 2002, Woodrow Wilson in 1919, and Theodore Roosevelt in 1906.

Experts on the Nobel Prize see Trump’s winning as highly unlikely, attributing this to what they consider his efforts to dismantle the international world order established after World War II, which is highly valued by the Nobel Committee.

On Wednesday, Trump announced reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the release of detainees as part of the first phase of the Sharm El-Sheikh initiative to end the war in the Gaza Strip.

However, according to the Norwegian daily Verdens Gang, the committee made its decision on Monday, before the announcement of the agreement. Even if its five members were aware of the matter before deciding on this year’s prize, it is unlikely they would rush a decision that usually takes months of discussion.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee, consisting of five members, primarily relies on the will of Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel for its decisions. This will also forms the basis for the Nobel prizes in literature, chemistry, physics, and medicine.

Nina Graeger, director of the Peace Research Institute in Oslo, said that Trump’s withdrawal from the World Health Organization, the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, and his trade war with allies contradict the spirit of Nobel’s will.