María Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, is en route to Oslo but will miss the award ceremony due to safety concerns. Despite her absence, her daughter will accept the award on her behalf, highlighting the ongoing dangers faced by Machado under the Venezuelan regime.

Travel Challenges
Machado's journey to Norway had been fraught with complications, leading to uncertainty about her attendance at the Nobel ceremony. The Norwegian Nobel Institute confirmed that while she is safe and in Oslo, she could not arrive in time for the event scheduled to begin at 1 PM local time. Organizers expressed their relief that Machado is safe, despite the challenges she faced in traveling from Venezuela, where she has been living under a death threat from the regime.

Family Support
Machado's daughter, Ana Corina Sosa, will accept the Nobel Prize and deliver her mother's acceptance speech. Family members, including Machado's 84-year-old mother, have gathered in Oslo, eagerly anticipating her arrival. The emotional weight of the moment was palpable, particularly after the cancellation of a press conference that was to mark Machado's first public appearance in nearly a year.

International Attention
The ceremony is drawing significant international attention, with leaders from Ecuador, Paraguay, Argentina, and Panama in attendance to honor Machado. The Nobel Institute's director, Kristian Berg Harpviken, remarked on the difficulty of ensuring Machado's safe arrival in Norway, underscoring the oppressive environment she faces in Venezuela. He noted that the threats against her extend beyond the country's borders, reflecting the regime's willingness to act against opposition figures.

Historical Context
Machado has been a prominent figure in Venezuela's opposition movement, having last appeared publicly at a protest against Nicolás Maduro's inauguration for a third term as president in January. Her absence from the Nobel ceremony underscores the precarious situation faced by many activists in Venezuela, where dissent is met with severe repercussions.

Wrap-up
The absence of María Corina Machado from the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony highlights the ongoing struggle for democracy and human rights in Venezuela. As her daughter accepts the award, the international community remains focused on the challenges faced by those opposing authoritarian regimes.

Sources
theguardian.com

@hoju-korean.com Editorial Team