Before the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, the Norwegian Nobel Institute stated on Tuesday, December 9th, that it is currently unclear about the whereabouts of Maria Corina Machado, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and leader of the Venezuelan opposition, sparking international concern.
The Nobel Peace Prize ceremony is set to take place on Wednesday, December 10th, in the Norwegian capital, Oslo. The press conference with the intended laureate, which had been postponed multiple times, was ultimately officially canceled by the organizers.
In a statement, the Nobel Institute mentioned that due to Machado being barred from leaving Venezuela by the government and having been in hiding for over a year, her current location remains unknown. The statement highlighted that Machado had mentioned in an interview that the journey to Oslo, Norway, was extremely challenging.
At the age of 58, Machado, once an industrial engineer, gained fame for her opposition against President Maduro’s dictatorial rule (in power since 2013) and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on October 10, 2025.
Kristian Berg Harpviken, the Director of the Nobel Institute and the Permanent Secretary of the Prize Committee, stated that he is unsure if Machado will be able to arrive in time for the award ceremony. “I know she wants to come, and she is on her way, but that’s all I know.”
Harpviken told the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK), “We will ensure a dignified and solemn award ceremony, highlighting the achievements of this year’s laureate and emphasizing the importance of the situation in Venezuela and democracy for peace.”
The award ceremony is scheduled for 1:00 PM local time on December 10th at Oslo City Hall, with the presence of the Norwegian King Harald and Queen Sonja, along with several Latin American heads of state, including Argentine President Javier Milei and Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa.
Upon receiving the award in October, Machado dedicated part of the honor to President Trump. She shares the same stance with American hawks, believing that Maduro poses a threat to U.S. security.
According to Reuters, Machado won the primary elections in the opposition but was prevented from participating in the 2024 presidential elections. Following controversial elections in Venezuela in August 2024, where authorities arrested opposition figures in large numbers, Machado has been in hiding since then. The official election body and the Supreme Court declared Maduro the winner.
However, international observers and the opposition consider Maduro not a legitimate victor and have released vote counting data as evidence.
(This article references reports from Reuters)