Post by : Badri Ariffin

A news briefing set for Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado was unexpectedly called off on Tuesday, generating new doubts just one day before her anticipated recognition in Oslo.

Machado, who has not been publicly visible for nearly 11 months, was slated to address attendees at a standard pre-ceremony gathering at midday. However, the event was quietly postponed without any official reasoning, and hours later, the Norwegian Nobel Institute announced that the conference would no longer take place.

In an email dispatched three hours after the planned start, the institute noted that Machado herself had previously described the journey to Norway as “challenging.” They further mentioned that no additional details were available regarding her arrival for the award ceremony on Wednesday. Officials did not clarify whether the news briefing would be rescheduled.

Concerns about her current situation grew as her spokesperson did not immediately reply to inquiries. At 58, Machado has been scarcely seen since early January when she made a brief appearance at a protest in Caracas before being detained and subsequently going into hiding.

Her Nobel Prize, announced on October 10, highlighted her efforts in advocating for a democratic transition in Venezuela. Machado had won the opposition’s primary last year, aiming to challenge President Nicolás Maduro in the 2024 elections. However, her candidacy was obstructed by the government, which led retired diplomat Edmundo González to step in.

The months leading up to the July 28 elections were fraught with detentions, political prohibitions, and numerous allegations of human rights violations. The electoral council, heavily dominated by Maduro’s affiliates, declared the president the victor despite contrary evidence, heightening pressure on opposition members. González later sought refuge in Spain after a court issued an arrest warrant for him.

In the meantime, Machado has kept a low profile and has not been seen since January 9. Her abrupt absence from the Oslo briefing has further deepened the intrigue around her attendance at one of the world’s most scrutinized events.

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