After an 11‑month absence, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado stepped onto a balcony in Oslo to greet a cheering crowd, hours after her daughter accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf.
Escape and Return
Machado had been hiding in Venezuela since Jan. 9, when she was briefly detained after joining supporters in a protest in Caracas. She was expected to attend the award ceremony in Oslo, but an audio recording published on the Nobel website revealed that she could not arrive in time because of the extreme danger she faced. Her daughter, Ana Corina Sosa, accepted the prize in her place.
Oslo Appearance
On Thursday morning, Machado emerged from a hotel balcony in Oslo, dressed in jeans and a puffer jacket. She spent several minutes outside the hotel, hugging supporters and being joined by family and aides. The crowd chanted “Freedom! Freedom!” and sang Venezuela’s national anthem. Machado addressed the crowd, saying, “I want you all back in Venezuela,” and lifted her phone to capture the moment.
Nobel Committee Comments
Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel committee, told the ceremony that “María Corina Machado has done everything in her power to be able to attend the ceremony here today — a journey in a situation of extreme danger.” Machado also said in the audio recording that “since this is a prize for all Venezuelans, I believe that it will be received by them.” She added that she would be able to embrace family and children she had not seen for two years, and many Venezuelans and Norwegians who share their struggle.
International Solidarity
Prominent Latin American leaders attended the ceremony, including Argentine President Javier Milei, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, and Paraguayan President Santiago Peña. The 58‑year‑old Machado’s win was announced on Oct. 10. Watne Frydnes described Venezuela as a “brutal authoritarian state” and called her “one of the most extraordinary examples of civilian courage in recent Latin American history.”
Political Context
Machado had won an opposition primary election and intended to challenge Maduro in last year’s presidential election, but the government barred her from running. Retired diplomat Edmundo González took her place. The lead‑up to the election on July 28, 2024 saw widespread repression, including disqualifications, arrests and human rights violations. The National Electoral Council, dominated by Maduro loyalists, declared the incumbent the winner. González sought asylum in Spain after a Venezuelan court issued a warrant for his arrest.
Human Rights Concerns
U.N. human rights officials and many independent rights groups expressed concerns about the situation in Venezuela and called for Maduro to be held accountable for the crackdown on dissent. Sosa delivered a lecture written for the occasion, saying, “More than anything, what we Venezuelans can offer the world is the lesson forged through this long and difficult journey — that to have democracy, we must be willing to fight for freedom.” She mentioned leaders worldwide who joined and defended their cause.
Nobel Laureate History
Five past Nobel Peace Prize laureates were detained or imprisoned at the time of the award, according to the prize’s official website: Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi in 2023, Belarusian human rights advocate Ales Bialiatski in 2022, Liu Xiaobo of China in 2010, Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar in 1991, and Carl von Ossietzky of Germany in 1935.
Key Takeaways
- Machado returned to Oslo after 11 months, greeting supporters on a balcony.
- Her daughter accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf.
- International leaders and the Nobel committee highlighted Venezuela’s authoritarian regime and Machado’s courage.
Machado’s appearance in Oslo, after a daring escape from Venezuela and a prolonged period of hiding, underscores the ongoing struggle for democratic governance in her country and the international community’s support for her cause.
