Maria Corina Machado, Venezuela’s most prominent opposition leader, won this year’s Nobel Peace Prize for her relentless fight for democratic rights.
But instead of receiving the award in Oslo, she had to stay away after a secret and risky operation whisked her out of her home country.
Escaping Venezuela Under Threat
At 58, Machado had been living in hiding since January 9, after a brief detention during a protest in Caracas.
Fearing that President Nicolás Maduro might order her execution, she left Venezuela in secret.
Reports suggest she traveled by boat to Curaçao in the Caribbean on Tuesday, although some details about the operation—potential involvement of government insiders and even U.S. officials—remain unconfirmed.
Bad weather delayed parts of her journey, which forced her to miss the Nobel ceremony. Despite this, she is expected to arrive in Oslo soon.
Daughter Accepts the Prize on Her Behalf
Machado’s daughter, Ana Corina Sosa, stood in for her mother at the ceremony.
“She wants to live in a free Venezuela, and she will never give up on that purpose,” Sosa said.
“We all know she will be back in Venezuela very soon.”
The prize recognized Machado’s tireless efforts to push for a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy in her country.
Political Repression in Venezuela
Machado had hoped to challenge Maduro in last year’s presidential election after winning an opposition primary, but the government barred her from running.
Retired diplomat Edmundo González replaced her on the ballot.
The election, held on July 28, 2024, was marked by arrests, disqualifications, and human rights violations.
After Maduro loyalists dominated the National Electoral Council, the incumbent was declared the winner.
González, who later sought asylum in Spain after facing an arrest warrant, attended the Nobel ceremony.
Global Support and Recognition
Machado’s courageous struggle has drawn international attention.
UN human rights officials and independent rights groups continue to criticize Maduro’s crackdown on dissent.
In an audio message shared on the Nobel website, Machado thanked those who risked their lives to help her reach Oslo.
“Since this is a prize for all Venezuelans, I believe it will be received by them,” she said, expressing her hope to soon reunite with her children and supporters after two years apart.
Commitment to Return
Despite the dangers of arrest or assassination, Machado plans to return to Venezuela after the ceremony.
Her former campaign manager, Magalli Meda, emphasized to reporters: “How can we believe that María Corina will not return and that she will remain in exile? That will not happen.”
Latin American Leaders Show Solidarity
The ceremony drew prominent figures from across Latin America, including Argentine President Javier Milei, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, and Paraguayan President Santiago Peña.
Machado’s daughter read a lecture her mother wrote, highlighting the sacrifices made by Venezuelans and international supporters.
Sosa emphasized the lesson learned through struggle: “To have democracy, we must be willing to fight for freedom.”
Standing Up to Authoritarianism
Nobel Committee member Watne Frydnes described Machado as “one of the most extraordinary examples of civilian courage in recent Latin American history” and warned authoritarian leaders that “your power is not permanent.
Your violence will not prevail over people who rise and resist.”
Machado’s win shines a spotlight on Venezuela’s ongoing fight for democracy, honoring her unyielding commitment to her people despite immense personal ris
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