The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo became an emotional testament to Venezuela’s struggle for democracy when Ana Corina Sosa accepted the award on behalf of her mother, María Corina Machado — a political figure forced into hiding amid escalating government repression.
Guests in Oslo City Hall listened intently as Ana Corina delivered Machado’s Nobel lecture, describing both personal loss and national resilience. She revealed that she has not seen her mother in nearly two years, reflecting how authoritarian pressure fractures countless Venezuelan families.
Machado, celebrated by the Nobel Committee for her “unwavering commitment to a peaceful democratic transition,” was unable to attend due to fears of arrest. In a brief audio message sent earlier, she insisted she was “safe” and making her way to Oslo, but her journey did not culminate in an appearance.
Her lecture envisioned a future where Venezuela’s streets are once again filled with music and laughter — symbols of the everyday freedoms citizens long for. “The small joys that others take for granted will one day return to us,” she wrote.
Machado’s last public sighting occurred during mass protests in January 2025 against President Nicolás Maduro’s controversial re-election. The disputed vote triggered a widespread crackdown, forcing Machado underground even as she succeeded in unifying the opposition.
Close relatives have gathered in Norway in hopes of reuniting with her, though officials remain tight-lipped about her potential arrival.
Complicating the political backdrop is rising military tension between Venezuela and the United States. With Washington deploying warships and striking vessels linked to narcotics trafficking, Machado has voiced support for measures intended to weaken the regime’s power structure.
In a call with US President Donald Trump after the award announcement, Machado conveyed gratitude for what she described as crucial international support for Venezuelans’ pursuit of freedom.
The Nobel Committee emphasized that Machado’s decision to stay in Venezuela despite threats to her life stands as an act of “extraordinary courage that has inspired millions.”