The 2025 Nobel Prizes have been announced, highlighting significant achievements across various fields. Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her relentless efforts promoting democracy and peaceful transition in Venezuela, despite being in hiding due to threats from the Maduro regime. The Nobel Committee praised her as a brave defender of freedom who has kept the flame of democracy alive amid repression, emphasizing her role in uniting opposition forces and resisting militarization. Machado, known as the 'Iron Lady,' has faced disqualification from running in recent elections and is currently in exile or hiding, yet she remains a symbol of resistance and hope for democracy in Venezuela. In the field of economics, the Nobel Prize was awarded to Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion, and Peter Howitt for their work on explaining innovation-driven growth and the concept of creative destruction. Mokyr, an economic historian, and Aghion and Howitt, mathematicians, provided contrasting but complementary approaches to understanding how beneficial innovations replace older technologies, fostering sustained economic growth. Aghion, who is affiliated with the Collège de France and LSE, expressed his shock at receiving the award and emphasized the importance of protecting mechanisms that underpin creative destruction to prevent stagnation. The award highlights the critical role of innovation and free markets in fostering long-term prosperity. The Nobel Committee underscored the importance of these achievements in promoting peace and economic development, especially in a world where democracy is increasingly under threat. The Peace Prize recognizes Machado’s courageous resistance, while the economics award emphasizes the significance of innovation in sustaining growth. The awards also reflect ongoing global struggles with authoritarianism, protectionism, and the need for democratic resilience.