OSLO, NORWAY—A cloak of intense geopolitical suspense has fallen over the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, with officials admitting they are “in the dark” regarding when, or if, the 2025 laureate, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, will arrive for Wednesday’s award presentation.
The secrecy surrounding the Venezuelan democracy figure, who has been forced into hiding by the regime of President Nicolás Maduro, cast a somber shadow over the traditional lead-up events. A planned press conference by the laureate on Tuesday was abruptly cancelled, intensifying global focus on the security challenges involved in extracting a political dissident from a hostile regime.
The Canceled Appearance
María Corina Machado, who was awarded the prize for her “tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela,” was scheduled to make her first public appearance in 11 months on the eve of the ceremony. However, the Norwegian Nobel Institute first delayed, and then ultimately cancelled, the traditional Tuesday press conference.
- Nobel Committee’s Statement: The institute’s director, Kristian Berg Harpviken, issued a statement confirming the cancellation and underscoring the severity of the situation: “María Corina Machado has herself stated in interviews how challenging the journey to Oslo, Norway, will be. We therefore cannot at this point provide any further information about when and how she will arrive for the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony.”
- A High-Stakes Journey: Machado has been in hiding since the Venezuelan government intensified a political crackdown last year. Her travel to Oslo is believed to involve a highly sensitive, potentially covert operation to secure safe passage out of the country, likely with the assistance of a foreign power.
Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab has previously warned that Machado would be considered a “fugitive” if she traveled to Norway to accept the prize, a clear threat aimed at deterring her attendance and punishing any collaborators.
Family Arrives, Hope Lingers
The anticipation in Oslo remains immense, fueled by the arrival of the laureate’s immediate family. Machado’s mother, Corina Parisca de Machado, and her three children are already in the Norwegian capital to attend the ceremony.
Her daughter, Ana Corina Sosa, speaking to Norwegian media, expressed a mix of hope and profound longing: “I miss hugging her. I miss smelling her and seeing her in person. We’re going to make the most of the time we have with each other.” Her mother offered a poignant statement, saying, “Every day I pray… that we may have María Corina tomorrow. And if we don’t have her tomorrow, it is because that is God’s will.”
The Nobel Peace Prize ceremony is scheduled for 1:00 PM CET on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. It is expected to be attended by the heads of state of Argentina, Panama, Ecuador, and Paraguay—a gathering that further emphasizes the political resonance of the award.
As the clock counts down to the ceremony, the entire event has been transformed into a global act of solidarity, whether Machado can occupy the podium herself or if the empty chair will stand as the most powerful testament to her struggle.