Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado has emerged from months in hiding to travel to Oslo and collect her prestigious award. In an interview with the BBC, Machado acknowledged the significant risks she faced by making the journey, given the Venezuelan government's travel ban and threats to label her a fugitive if she left the country.
Appearing for the first time in public since January, the 58-year-old made her way to Oslo under cover of night. She waved to cheering supporters from the hotel balcony, a rare emotional moment celebrated by onlookers who had been eagerly gathering outside the Grand Hotel in Norway's capital. The crowd erupted with chants of “Maria!” while capturing the iconic event on their phones.
The Nobel Institute honored Machado for her dedicated efforts to promote a democratic transition from dictatorship in Venezuela. While in hiding, she had been separated from her children for nearly two years, missing significant family events. In a moving encounter facilitated by her journey to Oslo, she finally reunited with her children, experiencing the emotional toll of long-term separation firsthand.
In a heartfelt interview with the BBC, Machado shared how overwhelming it felt to reconnect with loved ones after months in isolation. She also wore several rosary beads gifted to her by supporters outside the hotel. Despite facing potential arrest upon her return, Machado emphasized her commitment to her cause, stating she will continue her fight in whatever place is most beneficial for Venezuela's future.
María Corina Machado is a highly regarded figure in Venezuela's opposition, frequently condemning President Nicolás Maduro's administration as illegitimate and criminal. She was barred from the last presidential election, which Maduro controversially won. Her travel to Norway, fraught with peril and secrecy, was successful due to the assistance of a Venezuelan network aiding those in similar predicaments. According to the Wall Street Journal, her escape involved a disguise and navigating multiple military checkpoints, culminating in a discreet boat passage.