Machado Vows Return to Venezuela After Receiving Nobel Peace Prize
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Despite facing prohibition from the Maduro regime, María Corina Machado, recently honored with the Nobel Peace Prize, intends to return to Venezuela “as soon as possible.” The opposition leader is currently in Oslo, Norway, and has dismissed speculation of an extended European tour.
Machado’s commitment to returning to her country comes despite a period of remaining in hiding to evade restrictions imposed by the Venezuelan government. Sources close to the case indicate Machado is focused solely on her return, stating, “There is no plan to go to Spain. What she is doing now is her plan to return to Venezuela.” Her movements, they added, will be “quite reserved and discreet because of what her figure represents.”
A Complex Journey to Recognition
Machado’s arrival in Oslo was itself a remarkable feat, requiring a clandestine operation orchestrated by the Gray Bull Rescue Foundation. According to reports from US officials, Machado secretly traveled by boat to the island of Curacao before continuing on to Norway. While unable to attend Wednesday’s award ceremony in person, her daughter, Ana Corina Sosa, accepted the prize on her behalf.
“Of course I’m going to come back,” Machado told the BBC following the announcement of the award. “I know exactly the risks I am taking,” she acknowledged, but affirmed her dedication to the cause, stating, “I am going to be in the place where I am most useful for our cause.”
Diplomatic Engagements in Norway
Since arriving in Norway, Machado has maintained a rigorous schedule. On Thursday, she visited the Norwegian Parliament and met with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, subsequently inaugurating an exhibition detailing her fight for democracy and freedom in Venezuela. She was also received in audience by the kings of Norway on Friday, engaging in a series of additional meetings.
The timing and method of Machado’s return remain unknown, but her resolve is clear. Her willingness to confront potential risks underscores the depth of her commitment to challenging the current political landscape in Venezuela.
