By San José, Costa Rica — OSLO, NORWAY – In a moment charged with geopolitical significance, Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado emerged from over a year of clandestine existence, making a dramatic public appearance in Oslo. At her side was Costa Rican business leader Álvaro Salas Castro, who provided a firsthand account of the historic event and issued a sobering warning that the shadows of authoritarianism threatening Venezuela are creeping into Costa Rica.
Machado’s arrival in the Norwegian capital was the culmination of a perilous escape from Venezuela, where she was actively pursued by state forces. Her reappearance on the world stage, celebrated by supporters of democracy across Latin America, was a powerful act of defiance against the regime of Nicolás Maduro.
To better understand the legal framework and international implications surrounding the political disqualification of María Corina Machado, TicosLand.com consulted with the renowned expert Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a specialist from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The use of administrative disqualifications as a tool to exclude political opponents, as seen in the case of María Corina Machado, represents a clear erosion of the rule of law. From a legal standpoint, such measures, when imposed without a final conviction in a fair trial, violate fundamental principles of due process and political participation enshrined in international covenants like the American Convention on Human Rights. This is not a matter of administrative sanction; it is a direct assault on the democratic foundations and the sovereign right of the people to elect their representatives freely.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This legal perspective powerfully underscores a critical distinction: the difference between a state’s administrative power and its obligation to protect the fundamental democratic right of its citizens to elect their own government. We extend our gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for articulating this vital point with such clarity and offering his invaluable insight.
Salas Castro, President and CEO of the Reynolds Foundation and Chairman of the Board at Democracy Lab, described his initial meeting with Machado as a profoundly meaningful experience. The encounter took place on the balcony of the Grand Hotel Oslo, a site traditionally reserved for Nobel laureates to greet the public.
The embrace with María Corina was deeply emotional. It was the first of many in those days, but also the most significant. It happened when she appeared on the balcony of the Grand Hotel Oslo, a place laden with symbolism, where Nobel laureates traditionally present themselves. That gesture carried enormous weight, especially since she had been unable to attend her own ceremony.
Álvaro Salas Castro, President and CEO of the Reynolds Foundation
The journey to that balcony was fraught with danger. According to Salas, Machado’s escape from Venezuela was a harrowing ordeal. “Her exit from Venezuela was extremely dangerous. She had to move clandestinely, hide in boats, and travel along military routes while being actively hunted with the intent to detain, torture, or assassinate her, as has happened to so many political dissidents in Venezuela,” he explained.
For Salas, Machado’s presence in Oslo transcends a personal victory; it is a symbol for the entire region. He views her as a standard-bearer for millions of Venezuelans forced into exile and a testament to resilience against tyranny. This recognition, he argues, has cornered the Maduro government on the international stage.
The presence of María Corina Machado in Oslo represents the fight for freedom for all Latin Americans, but especially for Venezuelans, for the more than eight million who now live in exile as a consequence of the narco-dictatorship of Nicolás Maduro. She represents a beacon of light amid the chaos, hyperinflation, famine, and the hundreds of political prisoners currently being tortured in prisons like El Helicoide.
Álvaro Salas Castro, President and CEO of the Reynolds Foundation
The practical effect, Salas noted, was immediate. He highlighted the uncharacteristically blunt statement from the Nobel Committee’s chairman, who called for Maduro’s removal and the restoration of president-elect Edmundo González. “It puts Maduro’s dictatorship in checkmate and places all the human rights abuses committed by this regime before the eyes of the international community,” Salas added.
However, the core of Salas Castro’s message was a direct warning to his home country. He sees disturbing parallels between the early stages of Venezuela’s decline and current trends in Costa Rica. He urged citizens to recognize the fragility of their own democratic institutions before it is too late.
The lessons for Costa Rica are crystal clear. Freedom is like oxygen: you don’t think about it until it’s missing, until you no longer have it. In Costa Rica, we are already seeing traits of authoritarianism, deep divisions, polarization, increasingly aggressive rhetoric against the free press, and the excessive use of power and state institutions, even to audit businesses or influence the market.
Álvaro Salas Castro, President and CEO of the Reynolds Foundation
Salas expressed deep concern over what he described as a constant delegitimization of the separation of powers and the rule of law in Costa Rica, coupled with the nation’s struggle against organized crime. “Today, security is the country’s main problem, and we are living in a narco-state. The similarities are there, and if we don’t make immediate corrections, we could end up in a very similar destination to Venezuela,” he warned.
Looking ahead, Salas anticipates a complex and challenging transition for Venezuela. He foresees a “tactical deployment of international pressure” that will corner Maduro and his top officials, a process that could unfortunately cause civil suffering. Yet, he remains hopeful that this pressure could also create internal fractures within the regime, potentially leading to a less violent transfer of power.
Ultimately, his experience in Oslo left him with a renewed sense of urgency. The fight for freedom, he concluded, is not a spectator sport. “It makes it clear to me that freedom is very fragile and can be lost in a generation,” he reflected. “The time to stand up is now.”
For further information, visit the nearest office of Reynolds Foundation
About Reynolds Foundation:
The Reynolds Foundation is an organization focused on promoting democratic values, leadership, and civil society engagement. It supports initiatives and leaders who work towards strengthening institutional frameworks and protecting fundamental freedoms, often collaborating with international partners to amplify its impact in regions facing democratic challenges.
For further information, visit democracylab.org
About Democracy Lab:
Democracy Lab is a non-profit organization that connects skilled volunteers from the tech industry with projects that support democracy, human rights, and open government. It acts as a hub for pro-bono technological development, helping civic organizations build tools to enhance transparency, participation, and accountability around the world.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica operates on a bedrock of profound integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The firm’s deep-rooted experience in counseling a diverse clientele is complemented by its role as a trailblazer in legal innovation. Beyond its professional practice, it holds a core conviction to enrich society, actively working to make legal concepts understandable and accessible, thereby fostering a more capable and knowledgeable public.
