Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado made her first public appearance in 11 months on Thursday in Oslo, Norway, following her recognition as the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner. Her daughter, Ana Corina Sosa, accepted the prestigious award on Machado’s behalf during the ceremony at City Hall, as Machado had been unable to attend due to ongoing security concerns in Venezuela.

Machado had been in hiding since January 9, 2025, after briefly being detained during a demonstration in Caracas. The Nobel Committee recognized her “tireless work promoting democratic rights and the peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy” in Venezuela, highlighting her prominent role in challenging President Nicolás Maduro’s authoritarian rule.

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Public Appearance in Oslo

Footage from the event showed Machado appearing on a balcony of the Grand Hotel in Oslo, greeting supporters who had gathered outside. Crowds sang the Venezuelan national anthem and chanted “Libertad! Libertad!” (Freedom! Freedom!) as Machado waved and interacted with attendees. She also encouraged Venezuelans in the audience to remain committed to their cause:

“I want you all back in Venezuela,” Machado said, emphasizing her vision for a future free from authoritarian control.

Her daughter Ana Corina Sosa reiterated her mother’s message:

“She wants to live in a free Venezuela and will never give up on that purpose. That is why we all know she will be back in Venezuela very soon.”

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Journey to Norway

Machado reportedly traveled from Venezuela to the Caribbean island of Curaçao, before taking a private flight via the United States to reach Norway. In a phone call recorded for the Nobel Committee, Machado expressed gratitude for those who helped secure her safe arrival, acknowledging the personal risks involved:

“I am very grateful to them, and this is a measure of what this recognition means to the Venezuelan people.”

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Political Context: Opposition Against Maduro

Machado has been a leading figure in Venezuela’s opposition movement, notably during the campaign of opposition candidate Edmundo González, who is widely regarded by critics as the rightful winner of the 2024 presidential election. Maduro, however, declared himself the victor amid allegations of widespread fraud, prompting protests and the forced exile of numerous opposition leaders.

Since her recognition by the Nobel Committee, Machado has been investigated in Venezuela on charges including treason, making her international travel highly risky. Analysts suggest that her Oslo appearance may help garner international support for Venezuela’s pro-democracy movement while shielding her from immediate reprisals by the Maduro regime.

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U.S. Involvement and International Implications

Machado’s arrival in Norway coincided with heightened tensions between the United States and Venezuela. On Wednesday, President Donald Trump announced the seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker, part of a broader “maximum pressure” campaign against the Maduro government.

U.S. military strikes targeting alleged narcotraffickers in Venezuela have increased in 2025, with at least 22 operations killing 87 people. Machado has been vocal in supporting these measures and has framed her Nobel recognition as a tool to gain international backing for a peaceful transition in Venezuela.

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Machado’s Message to Venezuelans

During her Oslo appearance, Machado encouraged Venezuelans to remain hopeful, reinforcing her freedom manifesto which envisions a future without Maduro’s regime:

“Venezuela stands at the threshold of freedom,” she said, highlighting the peaceful democratic vision that has driven her activism.

Her appearance, along with her Nobel recognition, is seen by many as a significant morale boost for the opposition movement and a signal to the international community about Venezuela’s ongoing struggle for democracy.