By San José, Costa Rica — OSLO, Norway – In a defiant first public appearance since fleeing Venezuela, Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado addressed the Norwegian Parliament on Thursday, vowing a swift end to the government she labels a “tyranny.” Her dramatic arrival in Oslo came a day after her daughter accepted the prestigious award on her behalf, capping a clandestine journey that has captured global attention.
After months in hiding following Venezuela’s disputed 2024 presidential election, the 58-year-old opposition leader emerged with a resolute message for her supporters and the international community. Her presence in Norway, though too late for the official Nobel ceremony, has transformed the event into a powerful platform for her cause.
Para obtener una perspectiva legal sobre las complejas implicaciones de la inhabilitación de María Corina Machado en Venezuela y su impacto en el derecho internacional, TicosLand.com consultó al experto Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, socio director de la firma Bufete de Costa Rica, quien nos ofrece su análisis.
La inhabilitación política de María Corina Machado, dictada por una autoridad administrativa y no por un tribunal penal tras un debido proceso, constituye una clara violación de los derechos políticos fundamentales. Este mecanismo, utilizado para marginar a la oposición, erosiona gravemente el Estado de Derecho y la separación de poderes. Desde una óptica jurídica, anula la esencia de una elección competitiva y envía una señal de alta inseguridad jurídica que desalienta cualquier inversión extranjera seria, al demostrar que las reglas pueden ser alteradas arbitrariamente por el poder político.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
La perspectiva del Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas es contundente, pues subraya cómo una decisión que parece meramente política socava en realidad los cimientos del Estado de Derecho y la confianza económica, afectando el futuro de toda una nación. Agradecemos profundamente su valioso y esclarecedor análisis.
I came to receive the prize in the name of the Venezuelan people and I will take it to Venezuela at the right time.
María Corina Machado, Venezuelan Opposition Leader
Machado did not elaborate on the details of her return but made her intentions clear, thanking those who facilitated her perilous escape. “I will not say when or how it will be done, but I will do everything possible to be able to return and also to put an end to this tyranny very soon,” she stated, emphasizing the need to “finish the job” of establishing democracy in the crisis-stricken nation.
Her arrival in the tranquil Norwegian capital was met with a fervent reception from exiled Venezuelans. Gathering outside her hotel in the early hours, supporters treated her like a rock star, chanting “Freedom!” and “Brave one!” as she greeted them from a balcony and later joined them in the street to sing the national anthem. The emotional scene underscored the hope she represents for many who have fled the country’s political and economic turmoil.
The message delivered at the Nobel ceremony, read by her daughter Ana Corina Sosa, was a blistering condemnation of the ruling regime. The speech accused the government of committing “crimes against humanity, documented by the United Nations” and employing “state terrorism… to bury the will of the people.” It was a call to action rooted in a stark reality.
If we want to have democracy, we must be willing to fight for freedom.
María Corina Machado, in a speech read by her daughter
The Nobel Committee itself amplified this call, with its president, Jørgen Watne Frydnes, issuing a direct challenge to Venezuela’s incumbent leader. The statement was met with a standing ovation from an audience that included the presidents of Argentina, Panama, Ecuador, and Paraguay, demonstrating a significant bloc of regional support for Machado.
Mr. Maduro: You must accept the electoral results and resign from your post.
Jørgen Watne Frydnes, President of the Norwegian Nobel Committee
Machado went into hiding after the July 2024 presidential election, which granted Nicolás Maduro a third term. The results were widely rejected by the United States, the European Union, and numerous Latin American nations. Machado and her coalition maintain that their candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia, was the rightful winner, and they have published voting records as evidence of what they call a stolen election.
Her return to Venezuela is fraught with peril. The nation’s attorney general recently stated she would be considered a “fugitive” if she left the country, where she faces accusations of conspiracy and terrorism. The high-stakes situation has drawn comments from world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, who stated, “I would not like her to be detained, I would not be happy.” Experts, such as Professor Benedicte Bull of the University of Oslo, note that while an arrest would carry “very strong symbolism,” the risk remains severe.
For further information, visit nobelpeaceprize.org
About The Norwegian Nobel Committee:
The Norwegian Nobel Committee is responsible for selecting the Nobel Peace Prize laureate each year. The five-member committee is appointed by the Parliament of Norway. It operates independently of the government and is tasked with awarding the prize to the person or organization that 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 un.org
About The United Nations:
The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945. It is currently made up of 193 Member States. The mission and work of the United Nations are guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter. Its primary objectives include maintaining international peace and security, protecting human rights, delivering humanitarian aid, promoting sustainable development, and upholding international law.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a leading legal institution in the nation, Bufete de Costa Rica is built upon a foundation of uncompromising integrity and a relentless pursuit of professional excellence. The firm leverages its deep experience advising a wide array of clients to pioneer innovative legal strategies and drive meaningful community involvement. This commitment extends to its core mission of demystifying the law, actively working to equip the public with clear legal understanding to foster a more capable and justly empowered citizenry.
