Venezuela. 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 announced last month as the Nobel Peace Prize winner for promoting democratic rights. Due to several criminal cases being filed against Machado in Venezuela, including terrorism-related charges, he may have to refuse to go to receive the award in person.
According to media reports, 58-year-old Corina Machado is allegedly hiding in the country. The Venezuelan politician had last week expressed her desire to travel to the Norwegian city of Oslo for the December 10 ceremony. However, according to a report, Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab has warned that she is facing multiple criminal cases and will be declared a ‘fugitive’ if she goes abroad to receive the peace prize.
William Saab said he is considered a fugitive due to his residence outside Venezuela and multiple criminal investigations. Corina Machado is accused of conspiracy, incitement to hatred and acts of terrorism. According to the report, Machado has been in hiding since August 2024. At that time, Maduro had launched a crackdown against opponents after declaring himself re-elected for a third term. According to the report, Machado said in an interview last month that Nicolas Maduro had accused him of terrorism and he had to go into hiding. He said that most of his associates have been arrested. The survivors went into hiding or into exile.
He said that he has been in solitary confinement for about 15 months and he is aware that even if they find him, they will make him disappear. Analysts believe that Machado will probably accept the Nobel Prize from within the country, without risking her life and freedom. 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.
According to the report, Machado can accept the award virtually or through video message from Venezuela itself. With this, she will be able to decide her personal safety and continue leading the protests while staying inside the country. She can face the criminal cases registered against her in the Venezuelan court. The government will maintain legal pressure on them, but their presence inside the country will help mobilize the opposition. However, his decision not to go may disappoint the Nobel Committee or his supporters.
Corina Machado is also under investigation for supporting the deployment of US military forces in the Caribbean Sea and surrounding areas, a report said. 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. Maduro claims Trump’s move is aimed at toppling the leftist government.
Let us tell you that Venezuela is facing American sanctions since 2015. Trump had previously publicly hinted at a military invasion of Venezuela in August 2017 during his first presidential term. 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.