Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado arrived in Oslo, Norway, just hours after this year’s Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, where she was honoured in absentia. Machado’s arrival was greeted by supporters outside the Grand Hotel, with the Venezuelan national anthem being sung and chants of “libertad, libertad” (“freedom, freedom”) echoing through the Norwegian capital.

Footage broadcast early Thursday showed Machado appearing on a hotel balcony to acknowledge the crowd, marking her first public appearance in Norway since receiving the prize.

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Journey to Oslo

Machado undertook a complex route to reach Norway, first travelling by boat from Venezuela to the Caribbean island of Curaçao before flying to Oslo via the United States aboard a private jet.

Due to her absence, Machado’s daughter, Ana Corina Sosa Machado, accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf at City Hall. Machado was recognized “for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.”

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Venezuelan Government Reaction

The Venezuelan government criticized the award ceremony, with Vice President Delcy Rodríguez calling it a “political stunt.” On state television, Rodríguez said:

“It looked like a wake, it was a total failure. The show failed because the lady [Machado] did not show up.”

She further described Machado’s prize as a “bloodstained prize,” reflecting the Maduro administration’s view that the award was politically motivated.

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Machado’s Role in Venezuelan Politics

Machado is a central figure in the Venezuelan opposition and played a key role in last year’s presidential campaign supporting opposition candidate Edmundo González. Many foreign governments and critics of the Maduro administration view González as the rightful winner of the contested election, though President Nicolás Maduro declared himself victorious amid widespread fraud allegations.

Following the election, González fled to Spain, and many opposition leaders, including Machado herself, have remained largely in hiding due to government threats and legal actions.

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Legal Challenges and Risks

Machado is currently under investigation in Venezuela on charges including treason. She spent over a year largely in hiding prior to her trip to Oslo. Venezuelan authorities have warned that she could be considered a fugitive if she leaves the country and may face arrest or be denied re-entry upon returning.

Despite these risks, Machado’s Nobel Peace Prize highlights her international recognition as a leading advocate for democracy and human rights in Venezuela, drawing attention to the country’s ongoing political and humanitarian crisis.