Oslo: Venezuelan Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado is reported to be in stable condition and progressing in her recovery after sustaining a serious back injury during her perilous escape from Venezuela, her spokesperson said on Wednesday. Machado, the 58-year-old opposition leader renowned for her staunch advocacy for democratic reform, fractured a vertebra while fleeing her embattled home country on a small boat as she sought to reach Norway to receive the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize in person.
Her representative confirmed that Machado is currently under the care of medical specialists and attending appointments aimed at ensuring her âprompt and full recovery,â though he did not disclose her exact location. She is no longer staying in Oslo, the Norwegian capital where the Nobel festivities were held, having arrived too late for the official award ceremony.
Machadoâs journey out of Venezuela was fraught with danger. For more than a year she lived in hiding to evade prosecution by authorities aligned with President NicolĂĄs Maduro, who have accused her of conspiracy and other charges and have enforced a decade-old travel ban that barred her from leaving the country. Despite these obstacles, she undertook a covert route that involved a hazardous boat crossing, defying the ban in order to be present in Norway.
Her absence from the Nobel ceremony was palpable. Machadoâs daughter, Ana Corina Sosa, accepted the prestigious award on her behalf and delivered a speech celebrating her motherâs struggle for freedom and justice in Venezuela. The Nobel Committee has said that Machado âdid everything in her powerâ to be present on stage, characterizing her trek as one undertaken âin a situation of extreme danger.â
Machadoâs recognition with the Nobel Peace Prize has thrust renewed international attention on Venezuelaâs deep political crisis, marked by allegations of electoral fraud, repression of dissent, and economic collapse. Supporters view her accolade as a symbol of resilience and hope for Venezuelans fatigued by years of authoritarian governance. Critics, however, have sparked debate about her political positions and alliances, illustrating the polarized reception of her ascent on the world stage.
Despite her injury and the challenges of her escape, Machado has reiterated her commitment to returning to Venezuela to continue her political work and to champion a democratic transition. Her journey, both literal and symbolic, underscores the high stakes of political activism in nations under authoritarian strain and the personal risks leaders may undertake in pursuit of broader societal change.