After months of hiding, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado made a bold statement by traveling to Norway to collect her Nobel Peace Prize. In a heart-touching moment, she appeared in Oslo in the middle of the night, waving to her supporters from the balcony of a hotel. This was her first public appearance since January, and it marked a significant step in her fight for a peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy in Venezuela. Despite a travel ban and the Venezuelan government's threat to label her a fugitive, Machado's determination to stand up for her beliefs was unwavering.
The Nobel Institute awarded Machado the prize for her unwavering struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy in Venezuela. However, the journey to Norway was fraught with danger. Machado had to disguise herself and navigate through 10 military checkpoints without being caught. She even sailed away on a wooden skiff from a coastal fishing village, assisted by a Venezuelan network that helps people flee the country. The US was also involved, but the extent of their involvement remains unclear.
In an emotional interview with the BBC, Machado expressed her longing for her family, having missed her children's graduations and the weddings of her daughter and one of her sons. She also accused the Maduro regime of being funded by criminal activities such as drugs and human trafficking, and called for the international community to help Venezuela 'cut those inflows' of criminal resources. When asked about a possible US military strike on Venezuelan soil, Machado did not answer directly but accused Maduro of 'giving away our sovereignty to criminal organizations'.
Despite the risks, Machado is determined to return to Venezuela and continue her fight. She believes that she is most useful for the cause in Venezuela, but for now, she is in Oslo, where she can continue to advocate for a peaceful transition. Her journey to Norway has sparked speculation about her safety upon her return, but Machado is ready to face the challenges ahead, knowing exactly the risks she is taking.
