Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado will not attend the award ceremony in Oslo due to serious security threats and travel bans enforced by the Venezuelan government, the Nobel Institute confirmed Wednesday.
Kristian Berg Harpviken, director of the institute, told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that Machado is currently in hiding and will not be present at Oslo City Hall when the ceremony begins. Her daughter, Ana Corina Sosa, will accept the prize in her stead.
Machado, a leading figure opposing President Nicolas Maduro, has remained in secrecy since last autumn. Harpviken explained that the Maduro administration continues to restrict her movements and directly endangers her life.
“She lives under a constant death threat from the regime, both inside and outside Venezuela,” Harpviken said, noting that arranging secure travel to Norway proved far more complex than anticipated. Only a handful of people are aware of her current location.
The Nobel Committee honored Machado for her “persistent efforts to protect democratic rights in Venezuela” and her commitment to fostering a peaceful transition from authoritarian rule. Independent observers note that her coalition won last year’s presidential election, though the results were not recognized by Maduro’s government.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide called her absence “regrettable” but underscored the global importance of the prize. “While it’s ideal for the laureate to be present, Machado’s work in uniting opposition voices is precisely what this award recognizes,” he said.
Several Latin American leaders, including Argentina’s Javier Milei and Paraguay’s Santiago Pena, are attending the ceremony in Oslo to show their support.
Harpviken added that it remains unclear if Machado will be able to travel to Norway at a later date to personally receive her Nobel Peace Prize.
Source: Newstimehub
