Nobel Peace Prize winner Machado said on the 11th that the United States assisted her in reaching Norway from her hiding place in Venezuela, and voiced support for US military action against her country, vowing to return home.
On October 10th this year, Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her efforts for democracy in Venezuela. The 58-year-old opposition leader had been in hiding in Venezuela since August 2024. She had already planned to violate the country's 10-year travel ban imposed on her to personally attend the award ceremony in Norway.
Machado missed Wednesday's (10th) Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, so her daughter accepted the award and gave the speech on her behalf.
According to AFP, Machado went missing after challenging President Maduro's regime in January. After several days of confusion about her whereabouts, she appeared on the balcony of a hotel in Oslo on the morning of the 11th, greeting cheering supporters.
When asked by AFP whether Washington provided assistance, she said at the press conference: "We did receive help from the US government to come here."
● High-risk Journey, Disguised Appearance
The Wall Street Journal reported that during this high-risk journey, she wore a wig and was in disguise, leaving her hiding place in the suburbs of Caracas on the 8th, heading to a coastal fishing village, and then took a small fishing boat across the Caribbean Sea to Curaçao Island.
The report pointed out that the US military was notified to ensure that the boat would not become a target of airstrikes. After arriving on the island, she took a private plane to Oslo in the early morning of the 10th.
Machado thanked those who "risked their lives" to help her reach Norway, but it is still unclear how or when she will return to Venezuela. The Venezuelan side has said that once she leaves the country, she will be considered a fugitive.
● "I Will Return to Venezuela"
She said: "Of course, the risk of going back may be even higher, but it is always worth it. I will return to Venezuela, I'm absolutely sure of that."
Machado is highly praised for defending democracy, but has also been criticized for aligning herself with US President Trump, dedicating the Nobel Prize to Trump, and calling for foreign intervention in Venezuela's affairs.
In recent weeks, the United States has carried out military deployments in the Caribbean and launched deadly attacks against what Washington called drug trafficking vessels.
Machado told reporters on the 11th: "I believe every country has the right to defend itself."
She said: "I think President Trump's actions have played a decisive role in the current situation; the regime is weaker than ever, because before, they thought they could do whatever they wanted."