Nobel laureate and Venezuelan opposition chief Maria Corina Machado confirmed she’s going to journey to Norway subsequent week to gather the consideration, the top of the Nobel Institute instructed Agence France-Presse on Saturday.
Machado, who has been residing in hiding in Venezuela because the 2024 presidential election, has expressed curiosity in touring to Oslo for the ceremony on Dec. 10.
“I used to be in touch with Machado final night time (Friday) and she or he confirms that she shall be in Oslo for the ceremony,” Kristian Berg Harpviken stated.
“Given the safety scenario, we can’t say extra concerning the date or how she’s going to arrive,” he added.
Venezuela’s legal professional common, Tarek William Saab, instructed AFP final month that Machado could be thought-about a “fugitive” if she travelled to Norway to just accept the peace prize. He added that Machado is accused of “acts of conspiracy, incitement of hatred, terrorism,” and famous that she is underneath investigation for her help of the USA’ deployment of army forces within the Caribbean.
Machado was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize in October for “her tireless work selling democratic rights for the folks of Venezuela and for her wrestle to realize a simply and peaceable transition from dictatorship to democracy.” It was Venezuela’s first Nobel Prize.
Often known as Venezuela’s “Iron Woman,” the 58-year-old Machado has spent greater than 20 years main a political motion difficult the nation’s authoritarian leaders.
Venezuela has been dominated by an autocratic regime for many years and is at the moment led by President Nicolas Maduro. His election in 2024 was broadly dismissed as non-democratic. Machado has accused Maduro of stealing the election, a declare backed by a lot of the worldwide neighborhood.
The Trump administration has additionally accused Maduro of working with drug smuggling gangs, and tensions have solely grown amid strikes on alleged drug boats and U.S. army belongings being moved into the Caribbean.
The Nobel Peace laureate has stated the U.S. army presence within the area is a “needed measure” towards the “restoration of standard sovereignty in Venezuela.”
Machado instructed CBS Information in an unique interview in October that she believed successful the Nobel would give her “a number of safety” from the Maduro regime.
“However crucial factor, is that it highlights, worldwide, the significance of the wrestle of Venezuela,” Machado stated.
