María Corina Machado, Venezuela’s prominent opposition leader, was awarded this year’s Nobel Peace Prize for her steadfast struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy. Unable to attend the ceremony in Oslo due to her ongoing security concerns, her daughter, Ana Corina Sosa, accepted the prestigious award on her behalf, delivering a lecture written by Machado herself.
Machado has been in hiding since the disputed Venezuelan presidential election in July 2024, which many observers deemed rigged, sparking widespread protests across the country. Around 2,000 people, including members of Machado’s opposition coalition, were arrested in the ensuing crackdown, prompting her to go into seclusion for fear of arrest. Despite being in hiding, Machado continued to communicate with supporters via social media, urging resilience and unity.
In her speech at Oslo’s City Hall, Sosa highlighted the personal toll of separation, saying: “As I wait that moment to hug her, to kiss her, to embrace her, after two years, I think of the other daughters and sons who do not get to see their mothers.” She also shared Machado’s vision for Venezuela: “Venezuelans will hug again. Fall in love again. Hear our streets fill with laughter and music. All the simple joys the world takes for granted will be ours.”
The ceremony drew applause and a standing ovation from attendees, including members of Norway’s royal family. Machado had reportedly planned to travel to Oslo, but the Nobel Institute indicated she would arrive too late for the ceremony. The secrecy surrounding her travel plans has left her supporters anxious, and it remains unclear how she left her place of hiding to reach Europe.
This year’s Nobel Peace Prize not only honors Machado’s courage and leadership but also shines a spotlight on the broader struggle for democracy in Venezuela. Her continued absence underscores the personal risks faced by activists challenging authoritarian regimes, even as they gain international recognition.