Nobel Laureate María Corina Machado Confirmed to Attend Oslo ceremony
Oslo, Norway – November 5, 2025 - Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, this year’s Nobel Peace Prize recipient, will travel to Oslo to accept the award on december 10th, the Norwegian Nobel Commitee announced today.
Committee leader Jørgen Watne Frydnes confirmed Machado’s plans in a statement to Norwegian public television NRK, while acknowledging the inherent risks involved. “She herself has made it clear that she will come. Simultaneously occurring,it must be noted that it is indeed a hazardous trip as the Venezuelan regime has said that it wants to get her out of the way,” Frydnes stated. He expressed hope for Machado’s safe passage to and from Norway, emphasizing the importance of her continued work in Venezuela.
Machado previously told the Norwegian newspaper Today’s Business in October that her ability to travel depended on Venezuela achieving freedom, and cited security concerns as long as Nicolás Maduro remains in power. “I cannot leave the place where I am hiding because ther are direct threats against my life,” she said at the time.
According to the Nobel Committee’s schedule released earlier this month, Machado is expected to participate in the traditional Nobel laureate press conference at the Nobel Institute in Oslo on December 9th.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee, comprised of five members appointed by the Norwegian Parliament for six-year terms reflecting the parliamentary balance of power, selected Machado for the prestigious prize.Her selection garnered support from Norway’s major political parties, with only the Socialist Left Party and Red party voicing criticism.
Despite disagreement with the Committee’s choice, the Norwegian Peace Council, representing 17 pacifist organizations and approximately 15,000 activists, announced it would forgo its traditional torchlight procession through Oslo on the day of the Nobel ceremony. President Eline H. Lorentzen described the decision as “tough but necessary,” stating that “some” of Machado’s methods “are not in line with our principles and values or those of our member organizations, such as the promotion of dialog and non-violent methods.”
The Norwegian Venezuelan Justice Alliance, a Norwegian NGO dedicated to promoting freedom, democracy, and human rights in Venezuela, has stepped forward to organize this year’s procession.
