Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado made her first public appearance in months in Oslo, Norway, following her Nobel Peace Prize win, waving to supporters from the balcony of the Grand Hotel. Machado had remained mostly out of sight since Venezuela’s disputed 2024 presidential election and defied a travel ban to attend the ceremony.
Her last public sighting was in January, making Wednesday’s appearance highly anticipated.
From the hotel balcony, Machado placed her hand on her heart and joined her cheering supporters in song before stepping outside to greet them personally.
Many supporters, holding phones to capture the moment, chanted her name in Spanish: "Maria!" "Maria, here!" At one point, Machado climbed over metal barricades to mingle directly with the crowd.
Earlier in the day, her daughter Ana Corina Sosa accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on Machado’s behalf. The Nobel Institute recognized Machado “for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy” in Venezuela, highlighting her long-standing efforts to challenge authoritarian rule.
Machado’s appearance came amid weeks of speculation about whether she would travel to Norway for the award ceremony. The Nobel committee shared audio of her saying, "I will be in Oslo, I am on my way," confirming her journey despite official restrictions.
Following her Peace Prize win, Machado acknowledged US President Donald Trump, noting his support.
On the same day, the US announced the seizure of an oil tanker off Venezuela’s coast, alleging it was part of an “illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organisations.” The Venezuelan government condemned the action, accusing the US of theft and piracy.
