Venezuela's Machado promises to attend Nobel Peace Prize ceremony

Maria Corina Machado, a prominent figure in Venezuela's opposition, has confirmed her intention to travel to Norway to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, ignoring Caracas' warning that she would be declared a fugitive if she leaves the country. Kristian Berg Harpviken, head of the Nobel Institute, informed AFP on Saturday that Machado, who has been living in hiding, assured him of her presence at the ceremony in Oslo on Wednesday.

"I spoke with Machado on Friday evening, and she confirmed she will attend the event in Oslo," Harpviken stated. "Due to security concerns, we cannot disclose the exact travel details, but her participation is highly likely," he added during an interview on NRK radio.

Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab previously warned that Machado, 58, would be treated as a fugitive if she accepted the Nobel Prize in Norway. She was awarded the prize on October 10, with the ceremony scheduled for December 10, marking the anniversary of Alfred Nobel's death, the Swedish inventor whose fortune established the Nobel Prizes.

Political opposition in Venezuela has been heavily suppressed since July 2024, when over 2,400 protesters were arrested following President Nicolas Maduro's controversial reelection. Machado, who was barred from running, has accused Maduro of election fraud, a claim supported by the international community. She has remained in hiding since August 2024 and is known as a supporter of former US President Donald Trump.

Machado dedicated her Nobel award to both the "suffering people of Venezuela" and to Trump, citing his support for her cause. The White House criticized the Norwegian Nobel Committee for allegedly prioritizing politics over peace when awarding Machado. Trump, meanwhile, received a separate peace award from FIFA at the 2026 World Cup draw.

Machado aligns with the US government's position that Maduro is connected to drug trafficking and has expressed approval of increased American military operations in the region, which include strikes on suspected drug shipments. Maduro has condemned these actions, calling them a cover for attempts to force regime change in Venezuela, rejecting what he describes as a "slave's peace."

The ongoing US military campaign in the region has reportedly caused at least 87 fatalities across more than 20 strikes, including incidents where individuals were killed while clinging to wreckage from targeted vessels.

Author: Gavin Porter