Nobel Peace Prize Winner's Arrival Uncertain for Ceremony

Oslo is bracing for uncertainty as the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony approaches, with the whereabouts of Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado unknown. A press conference scheduled for Tuesday was cancelled, and the Nobel Institute has admitted it is “in the dark” regarding her location.

Machado, the recently awarded Nobel laureate, has been in hiding since Venezuela’s disputed 2024 election, which she and her supporters maintain was rigged in favour of the incumbent. She was recognised with the prestigious prize for her tireless efforts to champion democracy in Venezuela.

While the Nobel Institute had initially anticipated her in-person attendance at Wednesday’s ceremony, a statement released on Tuesday indicated a shift in expectations. “María Corina Machado has herself stated in interviews how challenging the journey to Oslo, Norway will be. We therefore cannot at this point provide any further information about when and how she will arrive for the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony,” the statement read.

Her family has already made the journey to Oslo, adding to the anticipation and concern surrounding her situation. Meanwhile, the Venezuelan government has warned that should Machado leave the country, she will be considered a “fugitive” from justice.

Attorney General Tarek William Saab, speaking to AFP last month, stated: “By being outside Venezuela and having numerous criminal investigations, she is considered a fugitive”. He further accused her of “acts of conspiracy, incitement of hatred, terrorism”.

Despite the risks, Machado previously communicated to her followers her intention to return to Venezuela following the prize ceremony. Should she attend, it would mark her first public appearance since participating in a protest in Caracas on January 9th against the inauguration of President Nicolás Maduro.

The 2024 Venezuelan election remains a point of contention, with the opposition claiming victory based on their own tallies. The United States and other nations have recognised Edmundo González, the opposition’s candidate, as the legitimate president-elect. It is worth noting that Machado was barred from contesting the election.

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