Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado was injured during a dangerous and covert journey to Norway last week, according to her spokesperson. The injury occurred as Machado attempted to secretly escape hiding in Venezuela to attend the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, highlighting the personal risks she continues to face amid political repression at home.

Machado, a fierce critic and political rival of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, reportedly fractured a vertebra while traveling by boat through rough seas as part of a clandestine escape operation.

Injury Confirmed After Risky Sea Crossing

Machado’s spokesperson, Claudia Macero, confirmed late Monday that medical examinations revealed a vertebral fracture. The injury was sustained during a turbulent sea crossing in a small fishing boat, which formed part of a multi-stage journey designed to avoid detection by Venezuelan authorities.

“The vertebra fracture is confirmed,” Macero told AFP, adding that no further medical details would be disclosed beyond what had already been reported by the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet.

According to the report, the 58-year-old opposition leader was battered by high waves while crossing open waters before eventually reaching Europe. During her stay in Norway, she was examined by doctors at Oslo University Hospital.

Living in Hiding After Election Ban

Machado has been living in hiding for more than a year after being barred from running in Venezuela’s July 2025 presidential election. The ban came as she emerged as one of the strongest opposition figures capable of challenging Maduro’s grip on power.

She has repeatedly stated that she fears for her life, accusing the government of political persecution and intimidation of opposition leaders.

A Covert Escape Involving Disguise and Multiple Routes

Media reports in the United States described Machado’s escape as a cloak-and-dagger operation. The journey reportedly involved wearing a disguise, including a wig, and traveling from a small Venezuelan fishing village aboard a wooden boat to the Caribbean island of Curaçao. From there, she boarded a private plane bound for Norway.

Machado later said she feared the boat could be targeted during the journey. US military forces in the Caribbean were reportedly alerted to avoid mistakenly striking the vessel, amid heightened maritime security operations in the region.

In recent months, several similar boats have reportedly been attacked as part of US-led efforts to curb drug trafficking. The Venezuelan government has accused Washington of using such operations to advance regime-change efforts tied to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.

Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony Missed

Despite the dangerous journey, Machado did not arrive in Oslo in time for the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. The award was instead accepted on her behalf by her daughter, who delivered a powerful speech condemning the Maduro government and calling for the defense of democracy in Venezuela.

Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in October 2025, with the Nobel Committee praising her leadership within Venezuela’s opposition movement and her “steadfast commitment to democratic principles.”

First Public Appearance in a Year

Hours after the ceremony, Machado made her first public appearance in more than a year, greeting supporters from a hotel balcony in Oslo. Despite her injury, she reportedly climbed over a barrier to briefly interact with supporters gathered below.

Machado later said Venezuelan authorities would have done “everything possible” to prevent her from reaching Norway, reinforcing her claims of political repression.

Maduro Responds with Insults

President Maduro dismissed reports of Machado’s injury during a televised appearance, using inflammatory language to attack his rival. His remarks drew criticism from opposition supporters and international observers, further underscoring the deep political divide in Venezuela.

A Symbol of Venezuela’s Political Crisis

Machado’s injury and dramatic escape have become emblematic of Venezuela’s ongoing political crisis, where opposition figures face bans, threats, and exile. Her Nobel Peace Prize has elevated her international profile, placing renewed global attention on democratic backsliding and human rights concerns in the country.

Despite physical injury and political persecution, Machado has vowed to continue advocating for democratic change in Venezuela.