María Corina Machado's daughter, Ana Corina Sosa, accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on her mother's behalf in Oslo, Norway, on Wednesday. The following day, Thursday, Machado made her first public appearance in 11 months, emerging from a hotel balcony in Oslo to wave to supporters. Machado was recognized for her work towards a democratic transition in Venezuela, though she was unable to attend the award ceremony due to what the Nobel Committee described as a "situation of extreme danger."
Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance
On Wednesday, Ana Corina Sosa accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of her mother. Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, stated that María Corina Machado had made significant efforts to attend the ceremony but was unable to do so. Machado had been out of public view since January 9, following a brief detention in Caracas, Venezuela. An audio statement from Machado was published on the Nobel website, in which she acknowledged the assistance of many individuals in her travel to Oslo and expressed her gratitude for the recognition on behalf of the Venezuelan people.
In her acceptance speech, Sosa conveyed her mother's aspiration to "live in a free Venezuela" and her commitment to that purpose. Sosa also stated that Venezuelans could offer the world "the lesson forged through this long and difficult journey — that to have democracy, we must be willing to fight for freedom."
Machado's Public Appearance
On Thursday, María Corina Machado made a public appearance in Oslo, marking her first public presence in 11 months. She appeared on a hotel balcony and waved to a gathering of supporters. Accompanied by family members and aides, Machado addressed the crowd, stating, "I want you all back in Venezuela." Flight tracking data indicated that the plane on which she arrived in Oslo had traveled from Bangor, Maine.
Background and Political Context
Machado, 58, was announced as the Nobel Peace Prize recipient on October 10 for her efforts aimed at a democratic transition in Venezuela. She had won an opposition primary election with the intention of contesting last year's presidential election but was barred from running by the government. Retired diplomat Edmundo González subsequently ran in her place and attended the Nobel ceremony. González had sought asylum in Spain after a reported arrest warrant.
The period leading up to the July 28, 2024, election included reports of disqualifications and arrests, with such reports reportedly intensifying after the National Electoral Council declared the incumbent winner. U.N. human rights officials and independent rights groups have expressed concerns regarding the situation in Venezuela and have called for accountability regarding actions taken against dissent. Machado has previously endorsed strategies by former U.S. President Donald Trump toward Venezuela.
International Attendance and Nobel Committee Statements
Several Latin American heads of state attended the ceremony, including Argentine President Javier Milei, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, and Paraguayan President Santiago Peña.
In his remarks, Jørgen Watne Frydnes characterized Venezuela as having "evolved into a brutal authoritarian state" and described Machado as "one of the most extraordinary examples of civilian courage in recent Latin American history." Addressing leaders such as President Nicolás Maduro, Frydnes stated, "Your power is not permanent. Your violence will not prevail over people who rise and resist," and added, "Mr. Maduro, accept the election result and step down."
Historical Precedent
The Nobel Peace Prize's official website indicates that five previous laureates have been unable to attend the award ceremony due to detention or imprisonment. These individuals include Narges Mohammadi (2023), Ales Bialiatski (2022), Liu Xiaobo (2010), Aung San Suu Kyi (1991), and Carl von Ossietzky (1935). Venezuelan human rights activist Gustavo Tovar-Arroyo, exiled since 2012, noted that while Machado's supporters were disappointed by her initial absence, such circumstances are part of the challenges encountered when confronting certain political systems.