Daughter Accepts Nobel Peace Prize for Machado Amid Ongoing Struggles

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado was unable to attend the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony on December 10, 2025, due to safety concerns. Instead, her daughter, Ana Corina Sosa, accepted the prestigious award on her behalf in Oslo, Norway. Machado has been in hiding since January 9, following her brief detention during a protest in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela.

During the ceremony, Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, acknowledged the risks Machado faced in attempting to attend. He stated, “María Corina Machado has done everything in her power to be able to attend the ceremony here today — a journey in a situation of extreme danger.” He reassured the audience of her safety, which was met with applause.

Earlier on the day of the ceremony, both the director of the Norwegian Nobel Institute and Machado’s spokesperson confirmed her absence. Despite this setback, Sosa delivered an emotional acceptance speech, highlighting the sacrifices made by many Venezuelans for her mother to receive this recognition. “I know that there are hundreds of Venezuelans from different parts of the world that were able to reach your city that are right now in Oslo,” she said.

Solidarity from Latin American Leaders

The ceremony drew prominent Latin American leaders who expressed solidarity with Machado. Attendees included Argentine President Javier Milei, Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa, Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino, and Paraguayan President Santiago Peña. Their presence underscored the regional support for Machado’s struggle for democracy in Venezuela.

Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to facilitate a democratic transition in Venezuela, which has been marred by political turmoil and repression. The announcement of her win came on October 10, 2025, with the Nobel Committee describing her as a woman “who keeps the flame of democracy burning amid a growing darkness.”

In 2024, Machado had won an opposition primary election and intended to challenge President Nicolás Maduro in the presidential race. However, the government barred her from running, replacing her with retired diplomat Edmundo González. The lead-up to the July 28, 2024, election was marked by widespread repression, including disqualifications and arrests of opposition figures, further compounding the crisis in Venezuela.

Concerns over Human Rights Violations

The United Nations and various human rights organizations have raised alarms about the deteriorating situation in Venezuela, calling for accountability for the government’s actions against dissent. Gustavo Tovar-Arroyo, a Venezuelan human rights activist in exile, commented on Machado’s absence from the ceremony, stating, “We knew the risk. We are disappointed that she cannot be in the ceremony, but this is part of what we do when we fight against a dictatorship.”

Historically, several Nobel Peace Prize laureates have faced similar challenges, being detained or imprisoned at the time of their awards. Recent examples include Narges Mohammadi, an Iranian activist in 2023, and Ales Bialiatski, a Belarusian human rights advocate in 2022.

As Machado’s supporters continue to advocate for her cause, her absence from the ceremony serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggles for freedom and democracy in Venezuela. The Nobel Peace Prize not only honors Machado’s commitment but also shines a light on the resilience of the Venezuelan people in their quest for justice.