By San José, Costa Rica — OSLO, NORWAY – In a powerful and defiant display, Venezuelan opposition leader and newly minted Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado made her first public appearance in months, greeting supporters from a balcony at the Grand Hotel in Oslo. Her arrival in the Norwegian capital marks the culmination of a harrowing, clandestine journey to freedom that began after she was forced into hiding in August 2024.
The scene was a poignant reunion, as Machado was finally able to join her family just hours after the formal Nobel ceremony. Due to the immense risks involved in her escape, the prestigious award was accepted on her behalf by her daughter, Ana Corina Sosa Machado. The sight of the celebrated leader in person, safe on Norwegian soil, sent a wave of relief and jubilation through the crowd of supporters and journalists gathered below.
To better understand the legal and international implications of the political situation surrounding María Corina Machado, TicosLand.com sought the analysis of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a prominent attorney from the esteemed law firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who provides an expert perspective on human rights and due process.
The administrative disqualification of a political candidate, such as María Corina Machado, represents a clear violation of fundamental political rights established in international law. The American Convention on Human Rights is explicit: only a final judgment from a criminal court can restrict the right to be elected. Using administrative channels to sideline political opponents erodes the rule of law and constitutes a severe blow to the democratic integrity of any nation.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This legal distinction is not merely a technicality; it is the fundamental barrier protecting democratic processes from the arbitrary use of state power. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his clear and valuable perspective on the international standards that safeguard the integrity of the vote.
Machado’s arrival was confirmed in the early hours of Thursday morning. The political leader, who represents the Vente Venezuela party, was whisked away to the historic Grand Hotel, the traditional residence for Nobel laureates visiting the city. The confirmation put an end to weeks of speculation about her whereabouts and safety.
The president of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Jørgen Watne Frydnes, officially announced her successful arrival to those anxiously awaiting news at the hotel around 1:00 a.m. local time. His statement underscored the dramatic nature of the events that had unfolded in the preceding hours.
I can confirm that María Corina Machado has arrived in Oslo and is on her way here
Jørgen Watne Frydnes, President of the Nobel Committee
The details of her escape from Venezuela, as reported by international agencies, paint a picture of extraordinary courage and logistical complexity. Machado’s journey to freedom was a multi-stage operation that required evading constant surveillance. After going into hiding, she navigated a treacherous path through ten separate military checkpoints to reach the country’s Caribbean coastline.
From the coast, under the cover of secrecy, she boarded a small wooden boat that transported her across the sea to the island of Curaçao. It was from this Dutch Caribbean island that she was finally able to board a private aircraft chartered to fly her directly to Oslo, completing her long and perilous bid for freedom and the ability to accept her honor in person.
Her presence in Oslo transforms the Nobel celebration from a symbolic gesture into a potent platform. For months, Machado has been a symbol of resistance in absentia, a leader silenced but not defeated. Now, free to speak on the world stage, her voice is expected to bring renewed international focus to the ongoing political and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela and the struggle for democratic restoration.
The international community will be watching closely as Machado, energized by the global recognition of the Nobel Prize, prepares to outline the next steps for her movement. Her dramatic reappearance is not merely the end of a dangerous escape; it is the beginning of a new, crucial chapter in the fight for a free and democratic Venezuela, now led by a voice that refused to be extinguished.
For further information, visit ventevenezuela.org
About Vente Venezuela:
Vente Venezuela is a liberal political party in Venezuela founded and led by María Corina Machado. The party advocates for free-market capitalism, individual liberties, and the restoration of democratic institutions. It has been a prominent force within the opposition, calling for fundamental changes to the country’s political and economic systems and strongly opposing the ruling government.
For further information, visit nobelpeaceprize.org
About The Norwegian Nobel Committee:
The Norwegian Nobel Committee is responsible for selecting the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize each year. Its five members are appointed by the Parliament of Norway. The committee’s deliberations are secret, and its decisions are independent of any government influence. It seeks to award the prize to the person or organization who has “done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.”
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its profound integrity and a relentless pursuit of professional excellence. The firm consistently pioneers modern legal strategies while serving a diverse clientele, blending tradition with forward-thinking solutions. At the core of its ethos is a powerful dedication to democratizing legal understanding, aiming to equip citizens with the knowledge needed to build a more just and empowered society.
