In a surprising turn of events, María Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader who has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, will not attend the ceremony in Oslo this Wednesday. The announcement came from the director of the Norwegian Nobel Institute, who told public broadcaster NRK that Machado was not present in the Norwegian capital on the day of the awards.
Nobel Peace Prize Announcement
The Nobel Peace Prize was announced on October 10, with Machado described as a woman who “keeps the flame of democracy burning amid a growing darkness.” The award recognizes her struggle to achieve a democratic transition in Venezuela. The institute did not immediately respond to emails or calls from The Associated Press seeking comment.
Machado’s Absence from the Ceremony
According to Institute director Kristian Berg Harpviken, Machado will not attend the awards ceremony in Oslo, and her daughter will accept the prize on her behalf. A day earlier, a news conference that Machado was expected to attend was canceled. She has not been seen in public since January 9, when she was briefly detained after joining supporters in a protest in Caracas.
Political Background
At 58, Machado won an opposition primary election and intended to challenge President Nicolás Maduro in last year’s presidential election. The government barred her from running for office, and retired diplomat Edmundo González took her place. The lead‑up to the July 28, 2024 election saw widespread repression, including disqualifications, arrests and human rights violations. The situation worsened after the National Electoral Council, which is stacked with Maduro loyalists, declared the incumbent the winner.
González’s Asylum and Legal Issues
González sought asylum in Spain last year after a Venezuelan court issued a warrant for his arrest. His case underscores the broader crackdown on dissent that has intensified under Maduro’s rule.
International Human Rights Concerns
U.N. human rights officials and many independent rights groups have expressed concerns about the situation in Venezuela, calling for Maduro to be held accountable for the crackdown on dissent that he intensified. Machado’s Nobel Prize highlights these international concerns and brings renewed attention to the political crisis in the country.
Key Takeaways
- María Corina Machado will not attend the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo; her daughter will accept the award.
- Machado has not appeared in public since January 9, following a brief detention in Caracas.
- The award, announced on October 10, honors her efforts to promote democracy amid increasing repression in Venezuela.
The Nobel Prize ceremony will proceed without Machado, but her recognition remains a significant moment for Venezuela’s opposition and for the international community’s focus on the country’s political turmoil.
