Venezuela is once again at the center of international attention as opposition leader Maria Corina Machado faces a dramatic crossroads: accept the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo on December 10, 2025, or risk being declared a fugitive by her own government. The tension surrounding her possible journey abroad is emblematic of the country’s deep political crisis, which has only intensified since President Nicolás Maduro’s disputed reelection in 2024.
On November 21, Venezuela’s opposition called for rallies in cities around the world on December 6, just days before Machado is slated to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. The call, distributed widely on social media, urged supporters to “mobilize around the world to receive the Nobel Peace Prize together,” according to AFP. Yet, the announcement gave no details about which cities would participate or whether Machado herself, who has been in hiding since August 2024, would make a public appearance. Her intention to accept the prize in person remains uncertain; her presence in Oslo will only be confirmed on the day of the ceremony.
Opposition activism in Venezuela has been subdued since July 2024, when authorities arrested approximately 2,400 people during protests that erupted after Maduro’s reelection. The government’s heavy-handed response has cast a long shadow over the opposition’s activities, making Machado’s potential appearance on the world stage all the more significant.
Machado, 58, is no stranger to adversity. Barred from running in the 2024 presidential election, she nonetheless managed to unite the fractured opposition behind Edmundo González, a little-known surrogate who appeared on the ballot in her place. Despite polling station tallies indicating a landslide victory for González, the government-controlled National Electoral Council declared Maduro the winner, handing him a third six-year term. González, fearing for his safety, fled to Spain after the election, and the government soon intensified its crackdown on other opposition figures.
The international community has largely sided with Machado and the opposition. The United States and several Latin American governments have refused to recognize the 2024 election results, describing the process as neither free nor fair. Many nations view Maduro’s rule as illegitimate, and the Nobel Committee’s decision to honor Machado with the Peace Prize in October 2025 was seen as a powerful rebuke of the Venezuelan regime.
Announcing the award at the Norwegian Nobel Institute in Oslo, the committee praised Machado for her “tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela, and her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.” Nobel chairman Jørgen Watne Frydnes expressed hope that Machado could attend the ceremony but acknowledged the serious security risks she faces.
Machado herself was visibly moved by the honor. In a statement, she said, “I am just one person. I certainly do not deserve this.” She went on to call the award “the achievement of a whole society.” Her humility resonated with many Venezuelans, who see her as a symbol of resilience in the face of repression.
However, the Venezuelan government has made it clear that Machado’s situation is precarious. Attorney General Tarek William Saab told AFP that if Machado leaves the country to accept the Nobel Prize, she will be considered a “fugitive” from justice. Saab stated that there are “numerous criminal investigations” against Machado, including accusations of conspiracy, incitement of hatred, and terrorism. He also said she is under investigation for supporting the deployment of US military forces in the Caribbean, a move the government considers hostile.
Since September 2025, US military strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific have claimed at least 83 lives, most of whom were Venezuelan. The Trump administration, which has ramped up its presence in the region, accuses Maduro of leading a drug cartel—a charge Maduro vehemently denies. Trump, who congratulated Machado on her Nobel win, has called for increased pressure on the Venezuelan government, while Maduro has accused the US of trying to incite war to seize Venezuela’s vast oil reserves. Despite the fiery rhetoric, Maduro has recently signaled a willingness to hold talks with representatives of the Trump administration.
The government’s pursuit of Machado is part of a broader campaign against perceived enemies. Saab noted that over 100 individuals, described as mercenaries from more than 30 nationalities and allegedly linked to the CIA, are being pursued by Venezuelan authorities. This climate of fear has driven many opposition figures into exile or hiding, further complicating efforts to organize against the regime.
Despite these challenges, Machado remains defiant. In a video posted on Tuesday—her first public appearance in months—she outlined her vision for a post-Maduro Venezuela in what she called a “freedom manifesto.” She encouraged the Venezuelan military to switch sides and support the restoration of democracy. “We stand at the edge of a new era; one where our natural rights will prevail,” she told viewers. In another message, she declared, “The long and violent abuse of power by this regime is coming to an end.”
Several Latin American presidents and leaders have expressed their willingness to accompany Machado to Norway, signaling regional solidarity with her cause. Their support underscores the broader stakes of Venezuela’s political crisis, which has ramifications far beyond its borders.
The Nobel Committee’s recognition of Machado has injected new energy into the opposition, but the path forward remains fraught with danger. The muted activism inside Venezuela reflects the risks faced by those who challenge the government, and the specter of arrest hangs over Machado should she attempt to leave the country.
As December 10 approaches, all eyes will be on Oslo—and on Caracas. Will Machado risk arrest to accept the Nobel Peace Prize in person, or will the threat of prosecution keep her in hiding? The answer could shape the future of Venezuela’s pro-democracy movement and send a powerful message to authoritarian regimes worldwide.
The coming days promise to be pivotal, not just for Machado and her supporters, but for the long-suffering people of Venezuela, who continue to hope for a peaceful transition to democracy.