Nobel Peace Prize: Nobel laureate and Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado risks being labeled a ‘fugitive’ if she goes to Norway to receive the peace prize. Corina Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last month for promoting democratic rights. Due to several criminal cases filed against Machado in Venezuela, including terrorism-related charges, he may have to decline to receive the award in person.
58-year-old Corina Machado is reportedly hiding in the country. Last week, the Venezuelan politician had expressed her desire to travel to the Norwegian city of Oslo for the December 10 ceremony. However, according to news agency AFP, Venezuela’s Attorney General Tarek William Saab has warned that she faces multiple criminal cases and will be considered a ‘fugitive’ if she goes abroad to receive the peace prize. “He is considered a fugitive due to his residence outside Venezuela and multiple criminal investigations,” William Saab said. Corina Machado is accused of conspiracy, inciting hatred and acts of terrorism.
Machado is hiding out of fear of her life
According to Bloomberg report, Machado has been in hiding since August 2024. At that time, Maduro had started action against opponents after declaring himself re-elected for a third term. According to a Bloomberg report, Machado said in an interview last month, “Nicolas Maduro accused me of terrorism and I had to hide.” He said most of his colleagues were arrested, with the remainder going into hiding or going into exile. He said, “I have been in complete isolation for about 15 months. And I have the feeling that even if they find me, they will at least make me disappear.”
Most analysts believe that Machado will probably accept the Nobel Prize from within the country, without risking her life and freedom.
Will Machado take the risk of going to Norway?
This question is currently at the center of Venezuelan politics and international human rights movements. Corina Machado’s decision to go to Norway will be an extremely risky and important step for her political career and the fight for democracy in Venezuela. The positive side of this would be that receiving the Nobel Prize on the international stage would give him global legitimacy and would boost the morale of the opposition in Venezuela. But because of this he will immediately be declared a fugitive. Her political activities would be legally banned in Venezuela, and she could be arrested upon returning. They may have to take refuge in Norway or some other country. Because of this, she will be away from the internal conflict in Venezuela, but the dictatorship of the Venezuelan government will be exposed in the eyes of the world.
What will be the impact of not going to Norway?
Corina Machado can accept the award virtually or through video message from Venezuela itself. With this, she will be able to ensure her personal safety and continue leading the protests while staying inside the country. She can face criminal cases filed against her in Venezuelan courts (if she is not arrested). The government will maintain legal pressure on them, but their presence inside the country will help keep the opposition mobilized. However, his decision not to go may disappoint the Nobel Committee or his supporters. This message can be sent that the government’s threat was successful, which can increase the confidence of the Maduro government.
A report also said that Corina Machado is also being investigated for supporting the deployment of US military forces in the Caribbean Sea and its surrounding areas. US President Donald Trump has deployed the world’s largest aircraft carrier, warships and fighter planes in what Washington is calling an anti-narcotics campaign against the Venezuelan regime of President Nicolas Maduro. However, Maduro claims that Trump’s move is to topple the leftist government.
Venezuela is defying US sanctions
The oil-rich South American nation Venezuela has been facing US sanctions since 2015. Earlier in August 2017, during his first presidential term, Trump had publicly hinted at a US military attack on Venezuela. In his second term, diplomatic rhetoric has intensified, which again gives indications of military action. Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel laureate Machado has welcomed the US military presence in the region. At least 83 people have lost their lives in the Caribbean and Pacific in US attacks on alleged drug boats, AFP reports. Washington DC has reaffirmed its claim that Maduro leads a ‘drug cartel’.
