In a dramatic appearance marking her first public outing since January, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado defied travel restrictions to personally accept the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo. The political dissident, who had maintained a low profile following Venezuela’s contentious 2024 presidential election, emerged on the balcony of Oslo’s Grand Hotel to ecstatic cheers from supporters gathered below.
Machado’s journey to Norway culminated in an emotional balcony moment where she placed her hand over her heart and joined supporters in song before personally greeting the crowd. The Nobel Institute recognized her tireless campaign for “achieving a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy” in Venezuela, making her the latest symbol of democratic resistance in authoritarian regimes.
The ceremony took place against a backdrop of escalating tensions between Venezuela and the United States. On the same day as Machado’s appearance, President Donald Trump announced the U.S. military seizure of an oil tanker near Venezuelan waters, alleging connections to “illicit oil shipping networks supporting foreign terrorist organizations.” The Venezuelan government promptly condemned the action as outright piracy.
Machado’s daughter, Ana Corina Sosa, initially accepted the award on her mother’s behalf during the formal ceremony, as speculation mounted about whether the opposition leader would risk international travel despite government prohibitions. The Nobel committee earlier released audio confirmation of Machado’s determination to attend, featuring her declaring: “I will be in Oslo, I am on my way.”
In previous statements following her Peace Prize recognition, Machado notably praised President Trump, who has openly expressed his own aspirations for the prestigious award while maintaining military pressure on Venezuela’s government. The coincidence of these events highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics surrounding Venezuela’s political future.