Venezuela’s Nobel Laureate Set to Attend Oslo Ceremony, Officials Warn of Fugitive Status

Background: Opposition leader María Corina Machado nominated for the Peace Prize

For the first time in its history, a Venezuelan political figure has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. María Corina Machado, a longtime opposition leader and outspoken critic of President Nicolás Maduro, was put forward by a coalition of international human‑rights organisations. The nomination highlights her role in mobilising peaceful protests against the government’s authoritarian policies and her advocacy for democratic reforms.

Government’s stark warning

Venezuelan authorities have issued a stark warning to Machado and her supporters. In a statement released by the Ministry of Interior, officials declared that if Machado travels to Oslo to receive the award, she will be treated as a fugitive under Venezuelan law. The ministry added that any attempt to leave the country “will be considered an act of desertion and will trigger criminal proceedings.”

“The regime will not allow a political opponent to use an international accolade as a platform to undermine national sovereignty,” the statement read, emphasizing that the government views her potential trip as a direct challenge to its authority.

Risks for the opposition leader

Legal experts warn that Machado could face a range of charges, including “illegal flight” and “conspiracy against the state,” if she steps onto Norwegian soil. Such charges could result in a severe prison sentence if she ever returns to Venezuela, and may also lead to the seizure of any assets she holds within the country.

Human‑rights groups argue that the warning is part of a broader strategy to intimidate dissenters and to discourage other opposition figures from seeking international support. “The message is clear: the regime will use every tool at its disposal to silence critics, even if it means branding them criminals abroad,” said a spokesperson for the International Federation for Human Rights.

International reaction

The Norwegian Nobel Committee confirmed that Machado is expected to attend the ceremony in Oslo on 10 December. Norwegian officials have pledged to provide full diplomatic protection and to ensure her safe passage to and from the event.

Several European governments have expressed concern over the Venezuelan government’s stance, urging Maduro’s regime to respect international norms and to allow Machado to travel without fear of persecution. The United States Department of State released a statement calling the move “a blatant attempt to intimidate a Nobel laureate and undermine the spirit of the Peace Prize.”

What lies ahead

As the ceremony approaches, Machado faces a difficult choice: attend the Nobel event and risk being labeled a fugitive, or remain in Venezuela and forfeit the global platform the prize offers. Her decision will not only affect her personal safety but also the broader opposition movement, which looks to the Nobel recognition as a beacon of hope for democratic change.

Regardless of the outcome, the episode underscores the deepening divide between Venezuela’s authoritarian government and the international community, highlighting the precarious position of those who dare to challenge the status quo.