Norway Award ceremony without Nobel laureate? Threat against Machado
Will it be an award ceremony without a winner? One week before the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded, it is unclear whether Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado will be able to travel to Oslo for the ceremony.
03.12.2025, 13:50
SDA
She is doing everything she can to come to Norway for the greatest honor of her life, said the opponent of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in an interview with Norwegian broadcaster NRK. However, she faces serious consequences if she re-enters Venezuela.
Machado was awarded this year's Nobel Peace Prize in October for her commitment to the democratic rights of the Venezuelan people. The prestigious prize is traditionally presented on December 10 at Oslo City Hall.
Trip to Oslo associated with great risk
However, there has been uncertainty surrounding Machado's participation in the Oslo celebrations for weeks due to her situation in the conflict with Maduro. Machado lives in Venezuela in a secret location.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee is still planning to work with her. However, the Venezuelan public prosecutor's office recently threatened to consider the 58-year-old a fugitive due to various investigations against her if she were to leave the country. She could potentially face arrest, an entry ban or worse if she were to return to Venezuela from Oslo.
"I have been accused of every conceivable crime, including terrorism," Machado said in the video interview. "The regime has been very clear. Maduro has said that they will kill me if they catch me."
Machado welcomes Trump's pressure on Maduro
Machado is regarded as the unifying force of the opposition in Venezuela and a staunch opponent of Maduro, who has been in authoritarian rule since 2013.
Machado welcomes the fact that US President Donald Trump has been increasing the pressure on Maduro with an increased US military presence in the Caribbean and also in his statements for weeks. The time has come for Maduro to understand that he must step down, she said.
