Nobel Press Conference Cancelled as Maria Corina Machado’s Whereabouts Remain Unclear

Nobel organisers in Oslo cancelled a scheduled press conference on Tuesday with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado after it remained unclear where the Venezuelan opposition leader was and whether she would attend the award ceremony in person.

Background

Machado, 58, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on October 10 for her pro-democracy work opposing President Nicolás Maduro, who has been in power since 2013. The press briefing had been set for 1:00 pm (1200 GMT) but, after an initial postponement, it was ultimately called off. Machado went into hiding in Venezuela in August 2024 and was last seen publicly at a Caracas demonstration on January 9 protesting Maduro’s contested third-term inauguration.

Official Statements

“Maria Corina Machado herself said how difficult it was to come to Norway. We hope she will attend the Nobel Prize award ceremony,”

— Erik Aasheim, Nobel Institute spokesman, speaking to AFP. Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab said last month Machado would be considered a "fugitive" if she travelled to Norway, citing multiple criminal investigations that accuse her of acts including conspiracy, incitement of hatred and terrorism. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said he did not know whether she would travel to Oslo.

Legal and Political Implications

A trip to Oslo raises thorny questions about Machado’s ability to return to Venezuela and whether she could effectively lead the opposition from exile. Michael Shifter, an associate professor at Georgetown University, told AFP it would be difficult to sustain momentum for the movement Machado inspired without tangible progress toward political change. Her former campaign manager, Magalli Meda, has insisted Machado would likely return and remain in exile if necessary.

Reactions and Security

Several members of Machado’s family — including her mother, three sisters and three children — are already in Oslo for the ceremony, though they have not disclosed Machado’s location. A heavy police presence has been stationed outside the Grand Hotel, which traditionally hosts Nobel laureates. Several Latin American figures, including Argentina’s President Javier Milei and others who oppose Maduro, have also arrived or are expected to attend.

Contested Narratives

While Machado has been praised internationally for her pro-democracy stance, critics point to her public alignment with former U.S. President Donald Trump, to whom she dedicated her Nobel Prize. The ceremony comes amid heightened U.S. military activity in the Caribbean and strikes on vessels Washington says were used for drug trafficking; President Maduro asserts the operations aim to destabilise his government and seize Venezuela’s oil resources — a claim Machado has dismissed as a pretext.

What Happens Next

The Nobel Prize ceremony is scheduled to proceed on Wednesday at 1:00 pm (1200 GMT) at Oslo City Hall. Organisers and attendees continue to await clarity on whether Machado will appear in person. The outcome — whether she attends, remains in hiding, or appears from abroad — will have implications for the Venezuelan opposition’s leadership and international advocacy efforts.

Key facts: Prize awarded Oct. 10; Machado last seen Jan. 9; went into hiding Aug. 2024; press briefing cancelled in Oslo; legal risks cited by Venezuelan authorities.