Nobel laureate speaks out from hiding: "I am coming to Oslo"

Despite years of travel bans and accusations from Nicolás Maduro’s regime, Machado has announced that she is “on her way to Oslo,” even though she will not arrive in time for the ceremony.

The Nobel Institute released an audio recording of a phone conversation with Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado, leader of the Venezuelan opposition.

In the recording, Machado thanked the Norwegian Nobel Committee and the Venezuelan people, according to The Guardian.

“This recognition means a lot to our people and to all those who risked their lives so that I could make it to Oslo,” Machado said.

She emphasized that, although she will not be able to attend the ceremony on time, she is already traveling to Oslo.

“As soon as I arrive, I will be able to hug my family and children whom I haven’t seen in three years, as well as many Venezuelans and Norwegians who share our struggle,” she said.

Machado stressed that the award is dedicated to all Venezuelans and that she will accept it on their behalf. She has been under a multi-year travel ban imposed by the Venezuelan authorities and has been in hiding for over a year.

Her current whereabouts remain unknown, but the Norwegian Nobel Committee invited her to Oslo to receive the prize in the presence of King Harald, Queen Sonja, and Latin American leaders, including Argentine President Javier Milei and Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa.

A press conference for the Venezuelan opposition leader Machado, scheduled at the Nobel Institute in Oslo for Tuesday ahead of the Peace Prize ceremony, was canceled after several hours of delay, the Nobel Institute announced yesterday.

Machado, who last appeared in public 11 months ago, was supposed to hold the press conference, which is traditional for Nobel Peace Prize laureates the day before the official award ceremony, AP reported. She announced on Saturday that she would travel to Norway to receive the Nobel Prize at the ceremony on December 10.

The government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has banned Machado from leaving Venezuela since 2014.

In Oslo, her mother, Corina Paríska, her sister, Clara Machado, and her daughter, Ana Corina Sosa, are already present, and representatives of the Latin American right have also been announced to support the Venezuelan opposition leader.

Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab stated last month that Machado would be considered a fugitive if she traveled to Norway to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. He added that the opposition leader is accused of conspiracy, as well as incitement to hatred and terrorism.

Machado received the Nobel Peace Prize in October for, as stated, her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the Venezuelan people and striving for a peaceful and just transition from dictatorship to democracy.

She accused Maduro of rigging the 2024 elections, a claim supported by much of the international community, CBS reported. She also warned that U.S. military presence in the region is a “necessary measure” to restore popular sovereignty in Venezuela.