Nobel laureate Maria Corina Machado to journey to Oslo to obtain peace prize regardless of threats from Venezuelan leaders

Nobel laureate and Venezuelan opposition chief Maria Corina Machado confirmed she is going to journey to Norway subsequent week to gather the respect, the pinnacle of the Nobel Institute instructed Agence France-Presse on Saturday.

Machado, who has been residing in hiding in Venezuela because the 2024 presidential election, has expressed curiosity in touring to Oslo for the ceremony on Dec. 10.

“I used to be in touch with Machado final night time (Friday) and he or she confirms that she will probably be in Oslo for the ceremony,” Kristian Berg Harpviken mentioned.

“Given the safety scenario, we can not say extra concerning the date or how she is going to arrive,” he added.

Venezuela’s legal professional common, Tarek William Saab, instructed AFP final month that Machado could be thought-about a “fugitive” if she travelled to Norway to simply accept the peace prize. He added that Machado is accused of “acts of conspiracy, incitement of hatred, terrorism,” and famous that she is beneath investigation for her help of the USA’ deployment of army forces within the Caribbean.

On Sunday, supporters of Machado demonstrated in a number of cities worldwide to commemorate her Nobel Peace Prize win. Dozens marched via Madrid, Utrecht and different cities, with others anticipated in additional than 80 cities world wide,  Machado’s group mentioned, in accordance with the Related Press.

Machado was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize in October for “her tireless work selling democratic rights for the folks of Venezuela and for her wrestle to attain a simply and peaceable transition from dictatorship to democracy.” It was Venezuela’s first Nobel Prize.

Referred to as Venezuela’s “Iron Girl,” the 58-year-old Machado has spent greater than 20 years main a political motion difficult the nation’s authoritarian leaders.

Venezuela has been dominated by an autocratic regime for many years and is at the moment led by President Nicolas Maduro. His election in 2024 was broadly dismissed as non-democratic. Machado has accused Maduro of stealing the election, a declare backed by a lot of the worldwide neighborhood.

The Trump administration has additionally accused Maduro of working with drug smuggling gangs, and tensions have solely grown amid strikes on alleged drug boats and U.S. army property being moved into the Caribbean. 

The Nobel Peace laureate has mentioned the U.S. army presence within the area is a “needed measure” towards the “restoration of standard sovereignty in Venezuela.”

Machado instructed CBS Information in an unique interview in October that she believed profitable the Nobel would give her “a whole lot of safety” from the Maduro regime.  

“However a very powerful factor, is that it highlights, worldwide, the significance of the wrestle of Venezuela,” Machado mentioned.