OSLO, Norway, Oct 11, (AP): Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for her struggle to achieve a democratic transition in the South American nation, winning recognition as a woman "who keeps the flame of democracy burning amid a growing darkness.” The former opposition presidential candidate is a "key, unifying figure” in the once deeply divided opposition to President Nicolás Maduro’s government, said Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel committee.

"In the past year, Ms. Machado has been forced to live in hiding,” Watne Frydnes said. "Despite serious threats against her life, she has remained in the country, a choice that has inspired millions. When authoritarians seize power, it is crucial to recognize courageous defenders of freedom who rise and resist.” "This is something that the Venezuelan people deserve,” Machado said in a call with the Norwegian Nobel Institute.

"I am just part of a huge movement. ... I'm humbled, I'm grateful and I'm honored not only by this recognition, but I'm honored to be part of what's going on in Venezuela today.” "I believe that we are very close to achieving, finally, freedom for our country and peace for the region,” she said, adding that "even though we face the most brutal violence, our society has resisted” and insisted on struggling by peaceful means. "I believe that the world will now understand how urgent it is to finally, you know, succeed.”

Maduro’s government has routinely targeted its real or perceived opponents. Machado, who turned 58 this week, was set to run against Maduro in last year's presidential election, but the government disqualified her. Edmundo González, who had never run for office before, took her place. The lead-up to the election saw widespread repression, including disqualifications, arrests and human rights violations.

The crackdown on dissent only increased after the country’s National Electoral Council, which is stacked with Maduro loyalists, declared him the winner despite credible evidence to the contrary. The election results announced by the Electoral Council sparked protests across the country to which the government responded with force that ended with more than 20 people dead.

They also prompted an end to diplomatic relations between Venezuela and various foreign countries, including Argentina. Machado went into hiding and has not been seen in public since January. A Venezuelan court issued an arrest warrant for González over the publication of election results. Spain granted him asylum. More than 800 people are in prison in Venezuela for political reasons, including González’s son-in-law, Rafael Tudares, according to the human rights advocacy group Foro Penal.