Mel Zelaya and LIBRE react to María Corina Machado’s Nobel Peace Prize and reignite political tensions in Honduras

The announcement that the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize would go to Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado triggered a swift and contentious response from ex-Honduran president José Manuel “Mel” Zelaya Rosales and the LIBRE political organization. Zelaya characterized the honor as “a challenge to history and to nations struggling for their self-determination” and charged the Nobel Committee with transforming the accolade into a “tool of contemporary imperialism.”

In his message posted on social media, Zelaya called Machado a “coup leader” and “ally of the financial elites and foreign interests,” arguing that awarding her the prize represents an “affront to the Latin American peoples.” These statements sparked intense political debate inside and outside Honduras, placing the country at the center of the discussion on the ideological orientation of its political actors.

National reactions and the ruling party’s perception

At the country level, perspectives on the Nobel Prize were split between liberal factions and opposing groups. While certain individuals praised the acknowledgment as an affirmation of human rights and democracy, administration officials backed Zelaya’s stance. Representative Maribel Espinoza asserted that Zelaya is “a friend and partner of a narco-dictator” and further remarked that his address “discredits the genuine fight for liberty in Latin America.”

Analysts are of the opinion that the LIBRE party’s declining of the accolade shows a shared ideological connection with Venezuela’s Chavista political system. This viewpoint is tied to concerns regarding the potential for similar authoritarian and populist strategies to emerge in Honduras, which might impact the nation’s administration and institutional equilibrium.

Regional implications and María Corina Machado’s message

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.

Political tensions and institutional perspectives

The debate generated by the reaction of Zelaya and his party highlights a political environment marked by polarization. The discussion about the Nobel Peace Prize takes place in a context of growing scrutiny of the parties’ positions on democracy, the autonomy of institutions, and external influence on national processes.

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.