OSLO, Norway – Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado broke her eleven-month silence on Thursday, declaring President Nicolás Maduro’s administration has reached its most vulnerable state following decisive U.S. actions including the seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker. The prominent dissident, speaking publicly for the first time since emerging from hiding, pledged to return to her homeland to continue the democratic struggle when security conditions permit.
Machado’s reappearance coincided with her daughter accepting the Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf in Oslo on Wednesday. The opposition leader specifically credited the Trump administration’s recent measures for significantly weakening Maduro’s grip on power. “The regime previously operated with impunity,” Machado told international journalists. “Now they comprehend the seriousness of global scrutiny.”
The political activist carefully avoided endorsing military intervention when questioned about potential U.S. action against Maduro’s government. She emphasized that her return timeline would be determined by security assessments rather than the regime’s status.
Her dramatic public reemergence from a hotel balcony before emotional supporters followed months in hiding since her brief detention during Caracas protests in January. Machado’s international journey occurred against the backdrop of escalating U.S. military operations in the Caribbean that have resulted in numerous casualties, actions the White House claims target drug trafficking but which many interpret as pressure on Maduro’s government.
The Nobel laureate called for concrete international support beyond diplomatic statements, urging governments to cut off resources derived from illegal activities that sustain repressive regimes. The 58-year-old opposition leader, who won a primary election but was barred from challenging Maduro in the 2024 presidential race, met with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre who committed support for building democratic institutions in Venezuela.
Machado revealed little about her covert travel from Venezuela but acknowledged U.S. assistance in her journey, which flight data indicates originated from Bangor, Maine. Her political stand-in, retired diplomat Edmundo González, sought asylum in Spain following an arrest warrant, complicating the opposition’s leadership structure.
The opposition leader concluded with a defiant message: “We decided to fight until the end and Venezuela will be free.” She indicated having contingency plans for underground operations should Maduro remain in power upon her return.