Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who has been living in hiding for more than a year, has confirmed that she will personally travel to Oslo, Norway, to receive her Nobel Peace Prize. The announcement was made by Kristian Berg Harpviken, the head of the Nobel Institute, speaking to AFP on Saturday.
“I was in contact with Machado last night, and she confirms that she will be in Oslo for the ceremony,” Harpviken said. He added that due to the sensitive security situation, details about her travel plans, including the date and method of arrival, will remain undisclosed.
Venezuela Threatens Legal Action If Machado Leaves the Country
Machado’s decision comes despite a warning from Venezuela’s attorney general, Tarek William Saab, who stated last month that she would be treated as a “fugitive” if she traveled abroad to accept the prize. Machado was awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize on October 10, but has remained in hiding since August 2024 following increasing political pressure and threats from the Maduro government.
A Nation Under Repression
Opposition activity in Venezuela has sharply declined after mass protests that erupted following President Nicolás Maduro’s disputed reelection in July 2024. According to local and international reports, around 2,400 people were arrested during those demonstrations.
Machado has consistently accused Maduro of stealing the election, an allegation echoed by much of the international community. The opposition leader is also known for her strong ties to Washington, openly supporting U.S. President Donald Trump and sharing the American assessment that Maduro oversees a drug cartel-linked regime.
Nobel Ceremony Set for Wednesday
The formal Nobel Peace Prize handover ceremony is scheduled to take place on Wednesday in Oslo, where Machado is expected to deliver an address acknowledging the worsening political and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.
Despite the risks, the Nobel laureate has maintained vocal support for a strengthened U.S. security presence in the region, especially amid recent U.S. military actions targeting alleged narcotics trafficking operations.