Machado Urges Venezuelans to Fight for Freedom in Nobel Acceptance Speech

Venezuela’s Opposition Leader Calls for Freedom Fight

María Corina Machado, Venezuela’s opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, calls for her country to fight for freedom against “state terrorism”. The speech was delivered by her daughter, Ana Corina Sosa Machado, as Machado is currently in hiding due to life threats.

The Nobel Peace Prize ceremony took place in Oslo City Hall, but Machado, unable to reach the venue, was represented by her daughter. The opposition leader blasted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in her acceptance speech, reminding the world of the importance of democracy.

Machado, leader of the Vente Venezuela party, acknowledged her role in the country’s opposition movement and her unwavering support for democracy during her speech. Despite being nominated for the honour, she expressed disappointment in not being able to attend.

Failed Attempt to Reach Oslo

Machado, in defiance of a travel ban imposed by the Venezuelan government, attempted to leave Venezuela for the ceremony. The opposition leader, however, was unable to make it to Oslo as planned. Machado’s exact location during her call was unknown, but she reportedly left Venezuela by boat for Curacao, before departing on a private plane for Oslo.

After a controversial election, Machado has been in hiding since August 2024 due to increased arrests of opposition figures. She also faced disqualification from running in the presidential election. The Norwegian Nobel Committee leader, Joergen Watne Frydnes, critiqued the unjust expectations placed on democracy fighters during his speech.

Alignment with Right-Wing Parties

Machado has openly supported international sanctions and US military intervention in Venezuela, a stance criticized by many due to the US’s history of interference in the region. The opposition leader’s stance was cited as a reason for her disqualification in the country’s presidential election.

Despite US sanctions contributing to Venezuela’s economic decline, other factors such as heavy reliance on oil and political instability also played a role in the economic downturn. The ongoing economic crisis has emboldened opposition leaders like Machado to push for a political change in the country.

Machado supports Israel and has even pledged to move Venezuela’s embassy to Jerusalem if her movement gains power. This aligns with other right-wing Latin American leaders’ pro-Israel stances. She contends that Maduro has connections to criminal gangs posing threats to US national security, a claim doubted by the US intelligence community despite the Trump administration’s recent military actions.

Venezuela’s armed forces have planned for a guerrilla-style resistance against possible US air or ground assault, as reported by Reuters.