María Corina Machado's Daughter Accepts Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo Amid Travel Ban & Venezuelan Political Crisis

María Corina Machado's Daughter Accepts Nobel Peace Prize Amidst Venezuelan Political Turmoil

The daughter of Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado recently accepted her mother's Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, delivering a powerful message of unwavering determination for a free Venezuela. While María Corina Machado herself, this year's laureate, remained in hiding and was unable to attend the ceremony, her spirit resonated through her daughter, Ana Corina Sosa.

Just hours before the prestigious event, Machado, who had been shrouded in secrecy regarding her whereabouts, managed to send a voice message confirming her safety and her journey towards the Norwegian capital. Despite her efforts, she couldn't make it to the City Hall in time to receive the accolade personally.

A Message of Hope and Freedom Delivered

Ana Corina Sosa, accepting the honor on her mother's behalf, delivered a lecture penned by Machado herself. The Nobel Institute recognized Machado for her "struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy" in Venezuela, citing her profound civilian courage.

Sosa began her address by sharing the deeply personal anguish of not having seen her mother for two years, a separation prompted by Machado going into hiding after Venezuela's disputed July 2024 presidential election. "As I wait for 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," Sosa movingly told the audience. She then conveyed her mother's message of hope, envisioning a future where Venezuelans will "hug again, fall in love again, hear our streets fill with laughter and music." Machado's message stressed that the simple joys often taken for granted elsewhere would become theirs, emphasizing that "our journey towards freedom has always lived inside us. We are returning to ourselves. We are returning home."

The audience, which included members of Norway's royal family, responded with a prolonged round of applause and a standing ovation for Ms. Sosa.

The Journey to Oslo and Public Reaction

Much speculation had surrounded Machado's ability to circumvent a travel ban to attend the ceremony. While an audio recording suggested she was "on her way" to Oslo, the Nobel Institute's director, Kristian Berg Harpviken, later confirmed she would arrive too late for the event. Concern had mounted among supporters earlier as her whereabouts remained unknown.

Machado's two other children, her mother, and her three sisters were all present in Oslo, eagerly anticipating a family reunion. Her last public appearance was on January 9, at a protest against Nicolás Maduro's swearing-in for a third term – elections widely dismissed as rigged and sparking national protests that led to thousands of arrests, including many within Machado's opposition coalition.

Having successfully united a previously fractured opposition, Machado went into hiding to evade arrest, yet continued to engage supporters through interviews and social media videos. Her Nobel Peace Prize win galvanized her base and intensified curiosity about her travel plans. The meticulous secrecy surrounding her departure from Venezuela and her journey to Europe remains a mystery.

Speaking to Norwegian broadcaster NRK before leaving Venezuela, Machado declared, "I want to assure every single Venezuelan that I will be back."

Views from Caracas and International Context

In Caracas, however, some citizens expressed worry about her potential return. María, 66, voiced fears to the BBC that her supporters might be "left unprotected" in her absence. Carlos, 49, contrasted this view, hoping for Machado's swift return, believing her presence inside Venezuela to be crucial, criticizing other opposition leaders who have opted for exile.

Machado's Nobel recognition arrives amidst heightened tensions between the Maduro regime and the United States. The US has reportedly deployed warships to international waters off Venezuela, with former President Donald Trump allegedly issuing an ultimatum to Maduro. Trump, who has openly coveted the Nobel Peace Prize, spoke with Machado after her win, with Machado expressing gratitude for his efforts for "peace, for freedom, for democracy" globally. She also appeared to endorse US strikes on Caribbean boats, asserting that cutting off illicit inflows from drug, gold, arms, and human trafficking, as well as the black market for oil, could weaken the regime.