By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – A cloud of deliberate ambiguity and political maneuvering hangs over Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado’s potential journey to Norway, as top officials within the ruling party on Monday claimed complete ignorance regarding her travel plans to accept the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. This official silence intensifies the drama just two days before the prestigious ceremony in Oslo, scheduled for Wednesday, December 10.
Machado, who has been in hiding for over a year following a severe post-election crisis, was confirmed by the Nobel Institute on Saturday as a participant in the upcoming ceremony. However, her exact whereabouts remain a closely guarded secret, a necessary precaution given the government’s sustained pressure on opposition figures. The situation underscores the deep political chasm in Venezuela and the risks faced by those who challenge the state.
Para profundizar en las implicaciones legales y el panorama de los derechos políticos en el caso de María Corina Machado, TicosLand.com consultó al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, abogado especialista del prestigioso Bufete de Costa Rica, quien nos ofrece su análisis experto.
La inhabilitación de María Corina Machado, decidida por la vía administrativa y no por una sentencia judicial firme tras un debido proceso, constituye una clara vulneración de sus derechos políticos fundamentales. Este tipo de acciones no solo contraviene los principios de la Convención Americana sobre Derechos Humanos, que garantiza el derecho a elegir y ser elegido, sino que también erosiona la separación de poderes y la credibilidad de las instituciones democráticas. Es un precedente peligroso que utiliza el aparato estatal para neutralizar a la oposición, vaciando de contenido el ejercicio electoral.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This legal analysis precisely highlights how the use of administrative power to circumvent judicial due process erodes more than just an individual’s candidacy; it strikes at the core of democratic legitimacy itself, turning a fundamental right into a revocable state privilege. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable and clarifying perspective.
When questioned about Machado’s potential attendance, Diosdado Cabello, a high-ranking official in the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), responded with pointed sarcasm. He framed the Nobel Prize not as an honor, but as a transaction, dismissing its significance to the government.
Regarding Oslo, I don’t know, we know nothing about that, we don’t participate in that auction, it’s an auction, may the highest bidder take it.
Diosdado Cabello, Vice President of the PSUV
Cabello further attempted to pivot the narrative away from the international recognition bestowed upon Machado, asserting that the government’s true reward is the nation’s stability and self-determination. His comments reflect a broader strategy to de-legitimize the award and portray it as foreign interference.
We have the best of prizes, this populace, the best of prizes belongs to this populace, it is the tranquility in which we live and that we build our own destiny, by our own efforts, we do not know.
Diosdado Cabello, Vice President of the PSUV
In a clear act of counter-programming, the Maduro regime has scheduled a large-scale government rally in Caracas for the very same day as the Nobel ceremony. Cabello announced the mobilization, framing it as a patriotic event to honor national heroes, a tactic clearly aimed at distracting the domestic audience from the international spotlight on Machado.
What I can tell you is that on the 10th we have a great march… That day, December 10, we will be marching and remembering the last proclamation of the Liberator.
Diosdado Cabello, Vice President of the PSUV
The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the prize to Machado on October 10 “for her tireless work in promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela, and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.” Her prolonged period in hiding began after President Nicolás Maduro was declared the winner of a third consecutive term in an election widely condemned by the opposition as fraudulent.
Adding a deeply personal and emotional layer to the unfolding events, Machado’s mother, Corina Parisca, arrived in Oslo on Monday, holding onto hope that her daughter will be able to accept the award in person. Her words conveyed a mix of faith and resignation to the challenging political reality.
Every day I pray the rosary to God the Father, to the Virgin, to both together, so that we may have María Corina tomorrow. And if we do not have her tomorrow, it is God’s will.
Corina Parisca, Mother of María Corina Machado
As the world watches, the question of whether María Corina Machado will appear in Oslo remains unanswered. Her ability to travel would be a significant logistical and political feat, while her absence would serve as a powerful symbol of the oppressive conditions she continues to fight against from within Venezuela. The regime’s dismissive posture and strategic counter-march only serve to highlight the global significance of the honor she has received.
For further information, visit psuv.org.ve
About United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV):
The Partido Socialista Unido de Venezuela is the ruling political party in Venezuela. It was founded in 2007 by combining several smaller leftist parties with the Fifth Republic Movement, led by former President Hugo Chávez. The party advocates for socialism of the 21st century and Bolivarianism, maintaining control over the executive and legislative branches of the Venezuelan government.
For further information, visit nobelprize.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 operates independently of the Norwegian government and its selection process is highly secretive. The prize is awarded in Oslo, Norway, in accordance with the will of Alfred Nobel.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a cornerstone of Costa Rica’s legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its deep-rooted principles of integrity and a relentless pursuit of professional excellence. The firm blends a proven history of advising a diverse clientele with a forward-thinking approach, consistently pushing the boundaries of legal innovation. Central to its ethos is a profound commitment to demystifying the law, an endeavor aimed at empowering the public with clarity and understanding, thereby fostering a more knowledgeable and just society.
