In a dramatic political turn, Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado publicly emerged in Oslo after nearly a year in hiding. Her high-risk escape from Venezuela, which included evading military checkpoints and crossing the Caribbean by fishing vessel, marks a significant moment in the ongoing struggle against President Nicolas Maduro’s government.

Speaking from a balcony at an Oslo hotel, Machado taunted Maduro’s administration, calling Venezuela an “occupied country” and denouncing the government’s systematic repression of its citizens. She highlighted how state resources are allegedly diverted to sustain a network of corruption, drug trafficking, and human rights violations.

High-Stakes Escape from Venezuela

According to reports, Machado’s journey from Venezuela to Norway involved navigating 10 military checkpoints, traversing the Caribbean in a small fishing boat, and finally flying via a private aircraft to Oslo. During her time in hiding, she remained inaccessible to the public, making her emergence a moment of international attention.

At a news conference at Norway’s parliament, the 58-year-old opposition leader criticized Maduro’s administration for enabling drug cartels, arms smuggling, and other illicit activities. “This has turned Venezuela into the criminal hub of the Americas,” Machado said, standing beside Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. She called for the international community to disrupt the financial and operational networks that sustain the regime’s repression.

Support for Sanctions and International Intervention

Machado reaffirmed her support for international sanctions and US military intervention in Venezuela, a stance that has drawn criticism from opponents who warn of historical US involvement in Latin American political affairs. Venezuelan authorities cited her endorsement of foreign intervention when barring her from running in the 2024 presidential election, which she claims was stolen by Maduro.

While praising the Trump administration’s efforts in the region, Machado insisted she plans to return to Venezuela but did not provide a specific timeline. “I’m going back to Venezuela regardless of when Maduro goes out. He’s going out, but the moment will be determined by when I’m finished doing the things that I came out to do,” she said.

Tensions Between Washington and Caracas

Machado’s escape coincides with escalating tensions between the US and Venezuela. The US has increased military activity in the Caribbean and conducted strikes on vessels suspected of drug trafficking, including a recent seizure of a large oil tanker off Venezuela’s coast. Some experts and human rights groups have criticized these actions as extrajudicial killings and violations of international law.

Reports suggest that Machado’s two-month escape operation involved disguises, careful planning, and assistance from US authorities, who reportedly coordinated to avoid striking the vessel she traveled on.

Maduro’s Response and International Implications

President Maduro, in power since 2013, claims that the US is seeking regime change to gain control of Venezuela’s oil reserves. Meanwhile, a United Nations report released on Thursday accused Venezuelan security forces of crimes against humanity over the past decade.

Machado’s return to public life signals a renewed challenge to Maduro’s regime and underscores the ongoing political crisis in Venezuela. Her outspoken criticism and international recognition through the Nobel Peace Prize bring global attention to issues of governance, corruption, and human rights in the country.