Maria Colina Machado: 2025 Nobel Peace Prize
Maria Colina Machado was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless fight for democracy and civil rights in Venezuela.
As if the Norwegian winter had spread a shroud of mystery over the city, the Nobel Institute has confirmed that a scheduled press conference with 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Colina Machado was abruptly canceled after a delay of several hours, Reuters reports.
With less than a day to go until the official ceremony, the whereabouts of Venezuela’s opposition leader remain unknown, raising questions, fears and speculation among diplomats, activists and Venezuelan exiles who have already begun arriving in the Norwegian capital.
Machado, 58, faces a 10-year ban from leaving Venezuela, a country that has become politically overshadowed since his victory in an opposition primary in 2023. He has been living in hiding since August 2024. His journey to Oslo, if it is even underway at all, will be “extremely difficult”, as the Nobel Institute itself put it, and is almost a race against time to get to the world stage to amplify Venezuela’s democratic crisis.
Why was Maria Colina Machado’s conference canceled?
The Nobel Institute has scheduled a traditional meeting with the press at noon on Tuesday, a ceremony that usually serves as a prelude to the Peace Prize. However, the event was initially postponed without explanation and then officially canceled three hours later.
Christian Berg Haabviken, director of the institute and permanent secretary of the commission, asserted that there was no confirmation of Machado’s current whereabouts. “We know he wants to come and is on his way, but that’s all we know,” he told public broadcaster NRK. The simple, honest words revealed the fragility of this moment.
The institute said in a statement that Machado himself had explained in a recent interview that a visit to Oslo would be extremely complicated given the intensified persecution and security operations in Venezuela after the 2024 elections. Her team did not immediately respond to questions about her whereabouts or her eventual arrival in Norway.
Will Machado be able to attend the Nobel Peace Ceremony?
The ceremony is scheduled for this Wednesday at 1pm (12:00 GMT) at Oslo City Hall and will be attended by King Harald, Queen Sonya, and at least four Latin American heads of state, including Javier Millay (Argentina) and Daniel Novoa (Ecuador). The chair made for Machado has now become a symbol of anxiety and resistance.
Their final appearance in Oslo, if they happen, would be one of the most notable acts of defiance against the regime of Nicolas Maduro. Since winning the Nobel Prize in October, Machado has dedicated part of his award to former President Donald Trump, and has aligned himself with Trump over his alleged ties to Chavista criminal networks.
Meanwhile, Venezuela is experiencing a political situation marked by arrests, forced exile, and disputes over the results of the July 28, 2024 elections, whose official numbers have been rejected by international observers. Machado went into hiding after a spate of arrests against opposition leaders.
What does this Nobel Prize mean for Venezuela and the U.S. diaspora?
The Norwegian committee gave Machado the award for his “sustained struggle for democratic transition” in a country where pre- and post-election repression has been widely documented. For the Venezuelan diaspora in the United States, particularly communities in Florida, Texas and New York, the Nobel Prize has become a sign of international recognition amid years of crisis.
This recognition also reinforces the need to continue documenting abuse, seek legal assistance, and maintain community support networks for families affected by detention, separation, or complex immigration procedures. Organizations such as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and Venezuelan NGOs have published free guides and resources to help those seeking aid from abroad.
For many, this Wednesday’s ceremony will be more than just a ceremonial act. It will serve as a reminder that Venezuela’s fight for democratic freedom continues, even if its protagonists are unable to physically take the stage.
When is the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize ceremony?
The Nobel Peace Prize ceremony will be held on Wednesday, December 11th at 1pm local time in Oslo (12pm GMT). The event will be held at the historic Oslo City Hall, the iconic space where the world’s most important peace awards are awarded each year.
Where will the ceremony take place?
The official ceremony will take place at Oslo City Hall, one of Norway’s most famous buildings and the traditional venue for the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. The venue faces Oslo Bay and is known for its main hall, which is decorated with murals that tell the story of the country’s social and political history.
Who will host the Nobel Peace Ceremony?
The ceremony will be chaired by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, chaired by its Chairman and Permanent Secretary Christian Berg Halbviken, who will introduce the winners and conduct the official program.
Additionally, the following institutions will be in attendance as hosts:
This isn’t a traditional “host” like a TV awards show. The Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony is conducted by the Norwegian Committee, and the Royal Family supports its ceremonial role.
contribution: Reuters
Boris Q’va is a national Spanish language trends news reporter for Connect/USA TODAY Network. You can follow him on X as @ByBorisQva or write to him at BBalsindesUrquiola@gannett.com.
