Venezuelan Opposition Leader María Corina Machado Reemerges in Oslo as Daughter Accepts Nobel Peace Prize
OSLO, Norway — María Corina Machado, a prominent Venezuelan opposition leader, made her first public appearance in nearly 11 months on Thursday in Oslo, where her daughter accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf. Machado had been in hiding since early January following a brief detention during protests in Caracas, as she led a peaceful challenge to President Nicolás Maduro’s increasingly authoritarian government.
Her emergence in Norway came as the crowd outside the Grand Hotel chanted “Freedom!” and sang Venezuela’s national anthem, celebrating the recognition of Machado’s efforts to restore democracy in her home country. Though Machado was unable to attend the ceremony in person, she conveyed her gratitude in an audio recording published by the Nobel Prize organization, acknowledging the risks taken by those who helped her reach Oslo.
“I am very grateful to them, and this is a measure of what this recognition means to the Venezuelan people,” Machado said in the message. Her daughter, Ana Corina Sosa, accepted the prize, emphasizing her mother’s unwavering commitment to a free Venezuela. “She wants to live in a free Venezuela and will never give up on that purpose,” Sosa told the audience. “That is why we all know, and I know, that she will be back in Venezuela very soon.”
Outside the hotel, Machado greeted supporters, who hailed her with chants of “President! President!” and took photographs as she embraced them. “I want you all back in Venezuela,” Machado told the crowd, underscoring her hope for a democratic future.
Her public reappearance coincides with heightened tensions between the United States and the Maduro government. On Wednesday, President Donald Trump announced the seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker, a move that escalates the pressure campaign targeting Venezuela’s illicit networks and oil sector. The U.S. Department of State has maintained extensive sanctions against Maduro’s regime, aiming to curtail its financial resources amid ongoing political turmoil.
Machado’s political activism has drawn international attention, with U.S. lawmakers like Senator Marco Rubio advocating for designating Maduro’s inner circle, including the notorious Cartel de los Soles, as a terrorist organization. The recent tanker seizure is viewed by experts as a “seismic shift” in U.S. strategy, intensifying efforts to isolate Maduro’s government.
Despite the risks, Machado’s resolve remains firm. Since her detention in January, she has been a symbol of resistance against authoritarianism in Venezuela. Her Nobel Peace Prize recognition amplifies the global spotlight on Venezuela’s crisis and the struggle for democratic governance.
As the world watches, Machado’s return to public view in Oslo marks a significant moment for Venezuelan opposition forces and international advocates for democracy. The U.S. government continues to monitor developments closely, signaling ongoing support for opposition leaders seeking peaceful change in Venezuela.
With her daughter accepting the prestigious award and Machado herself stepping onto the balcony to acknowledge supporters, the event in Oslo serves as both a personal and political milestone — a testament to courage amid adversity and a call for renewed hope in Venezuela’s future.
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