Venezuelan peace prize laureate unable to attend Nobel ceremony in Oslo

Maria Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader and this year’s Peace Prize laureate, will not be present at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, according to Kristian Berg Harpviken, director of the Norwegian Nobel Institute.

“Unfortunately, she is not in Norway now, and she will not be on stage at Oslo City Hall when the ceremony begins at 1 p.m. today [December 10],” Harpviken told Norwegian broadcaster NRK.

Organisers had expected Machado to arrive in time for the event and remained optimistic until late on December 9. However, Harpviken now says he cannot confirm whether she will be able to travel to Oslo at all. He added that there is no indication of any unexpected incident during her attempted journey.

Machado’s absence also means a long-awaited family reunion will not take place. Three generations of the Machado family, separated for years in exile in different countries, had planned to meet in the Norwegian capital. Instead, Machado’s daughter, Ana Corina Sosa, will accept the Nobel Peace Prize on her mother’s behalf.

Harpviken stressed that the reason for Machado’s absence is logistical, explaining that ensuring her safe transport to Norway has proven far more challenging than anticipated. 

Machado is being honoured with the Nobel Peace Prize for her longstanding efforts to promote democratic rights in Venezuela and for her advocacy of a peaceful, just transition from authoritarian rule to genuine popular governance.

By Sabina Mammadli