Maria Corina Machado: Potential 'Fugitive' Anytime She Departs Venezuela for the Nobel Ceremony

Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina Machado might be labeled a "fugitive" should she choose to leave Venezuela to claim her Nobel Peace Prize in Norway, according to a statement by the nation's attorney general.

Machado has shown a desire to travel to Oslo for the December 10th Nobel ceremony. Attorney General Tarek William Saab, in comments to Agence France-Presse, remarked that with multiple criminal investigations against her, she is perceived as a runaway.

Machado faces several charges, including conspiracy and inciting hatred, as well as accusations tied to terrorism. These allegations are partly due to her support of the US military presence in the Caribbean Sea.

Awarded last month, Machado received the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her unwavering advocacy for Venezuela's democratic rights and efforts toward a peaceful political shift from dictatorship. The Nobel Committee hailed her as a central, cohesive figure in an erstwhile fragmented opposition, and a fearless defender of peace. This represents the first time a Venezuelan has received this accolade.

Often referred to as Venezuela's 'Iron Lady', the 58-year-old Machado has spearheaded a vast political challenge against Venezuela's authoritarian governance for over 20 years. She has been in seclusion since the 2024 elections.

Venezuela has endured decades under an authoritarian rule, currently led by President Nicolas Maduro. Many global leaders, notably from the U.S., do not recognize his governance as democratic, opting instead to back an opposition figure supported by Machado as the election's rightful victor.

The U.S. has accused Maduro of alliances with drug-trafficking organizations. Tensions escalated with the U.S. increasing military engagement in the region. Machado has publicly supported these actions, viewing them as pivotal in reclaiming Venezuela's sovereignty.

In a one-on-one interview last month, Machado expressed hope that the Nobel distinction would offer her significant shielding from Maduro's regime while also bringing global attention to Venezuela's plight.