WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has filed a complaint against the Nobel Foundation. The complaint aims to prevent Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado from receiving the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. Assange claims that the award goes against the purpose of the prize because Machado publicly supports military actions and aggressive policies toward Venezuela.
According to a statement shared online by WikiLeaks, Assange is trying to stop the Nobel Foundation from releasing more than $1 million in prize money to Machado. The filing argues that Machado’s public remarks suggest she does not meet the standards set by Alfred Nobel’s will. Nobel’s rules specify that the Peace Prize should be given to individuals who have “conferred the greatest benefit to humankind” by promoting fraternity between nations, reducing armies, or holding and supporting peace congresses.
Assange contends that Machado’s political positions contradict these principles. Her support for international pressure on Venezuela, including sanctions and maritime operations, is presented in the complaint as evidence that she does not align with the core purpose of the Peace Prize.
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Allegations Against Prize Recipient
The legal filing points to a recent interview, in which Machado openly praised U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration’s hardline policies toward Venezuela. She expressed gratitude for Trump’s actions, describing him as a champion of freedom in the region.
Assange claims that these policies include intensified sanctions, the seizure of Venezuelan oil tankers, and bombings of vessels accused of drug trafficking. According to the complaint, Machado’s support for these measures makes her unfit to receive a prize meant to promote peace.
The filing further warns that releasing the Nobel Prize funds to Machado could result in misuse of the endowment. Assange argues that the funds could be diverted to support aggressive actions, potentially contributing to crimes against humanity or war crimes. He points to Article 25(3)(c) of the Rome Statute, which states that anyone who “aids, abets, or otherwise assists” in the commission of war crimes may be prosecuted by the International Criminal Court.
WikiLeaks emphasized that the prize money could indirectly support continued aggression if released. The complaint frames the situation as a fundamental misuse of the Peace Prize, which was intended to support peace and reduce conflict, not fund or encourage warlike actions.
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Ongoing Legal Challenge
The lawsuit comes amid escalating U.S. actions against Venezuela. Recently, President Donald Trump announced a “total and complete blockade” of vessels trying to enter or leave Venezuela. He described the country as being “completely surrounded by the largest armada ever assembled in South America.” Machado praised these measures, saying the Venezuelan people are grateful to Trump for his policies.
Swedish authorities will now review Assange’s complaint and decide whether to halt the payment and investigate the Nobel Foundation officials. The foundation has not reversed its decision or frozen the prize money. The case highlights a legal and ethical debate over whether awarding the Peace Prize to someone supporting aggressive international actions aligns with Alfred Nobel’s original intentions.
Assange’s complaint is clear: the Peace Prize should remain a symbol of peace. Any association with actions that could lead to violence or civilian harm risks turning the award into an instrument that supports conflict rather than peace.
