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Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado emerged from hiding Thursday, declaring that recent U.S. actions have significantly weakened President Nicolás Maduro’s government and vowing to continue her fight for democracy despite months in seclusion.
Speaking to reporters in Oslo, Norway, where she appeared publicly for the first time since January, Machado pointed to the Trump administration’s recent seizure of an oil tanker off Venezuela’s coast as a decisive move that has shaken Maduro’s regime.
“The actions of President Donald Trump have been decisive to reach where we are now, where the regime is significantly weaker,” Machado said. “Before, the regime thought it had impunity. Now they start to understand that this is serious, and that the world is watching.”
Machado arrived in Norway after her daughter, Ana Corina Sosa, accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf Wednesday. The 58-year-old opposition leader had been in hiding since January 9, when she was briefly detained during a protest in Caracas.
Her appearance in Oslo marks a critical moment in Venezuela’s ongoing political crisis. On Thursday morning, she emerged on a hotel balcony to wave at an emotional crowd of supporters before meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who pledged Norway’s support for “building new and sound institutions” in a democratic Venezuela.
Machado’s departure from Venezuela comes amid escalating U.S. military operations in the Caribbean. The White House has framed these operations, which have reportedly resulted in over 80 deaths, as efforts to combat drug trafficking. However, many analysts, U.S. lawmakers, and Maduro himself view them as attempts to undermine his grip on power.
When asked whether U.S. military intervention is necessary to remove Maduro, Machado avoided a direct answer. Instead, she called on democratic nations worldwide to move beyond statements and take concrete actions against Maduro’s government.
“We, the Venezuelan people that have tried every single institutional mean, ask support from democratic nations in the world to cut those resources that come from illegal activities and support repressive approaches,” she said. “It’s not a matter of statements, it’s a matter of action.”
The opposition leader’s journey to Norway remains shrouded in mystery. While declining to provide details of her escape from Venezuela, she thanked “all those men and women that risked their lives” to help her and acknowledged U.S. government assistance. Flight tracking data indicates her plane arrived in Oslo from Bangor, Maine.
Machado won an opposition primary last year but was barred from challenging Maduro in the July 2024 presidential election. Retired diplomat Edmundo González stepped in as her replacement, but the election was marred by widespread repression, including disqualifications, arrests, and human rights violations.
Venezuela’s National Electoral Council, dominated by Maduro loyalists, declared the incumbent president the winner despite widespread evidence of electoral fraud. González subsequently sought asylum in Spain after Venezuelan authorities issued a warrant for his arrest.
Machado’s immediate future remains uncertain, though she expressed determination to return to Venezuela when conditions permit. “When we believe the security conditions are right, and it won’t depend on whether or not the regime leaves,” she told reporters. If Maduro remains in power upon her return, she added, “I will be with my people and they will not know where I am. We have ways to do that and take care of us.”
The Nobel laureate’s dramatic reappearance on the international stage comes at a pivotal moment for Venezuela’s opposition movement, which continues to challenge the legitimacy of Maduro’s government despite facing severe repression. Her presence in Norway has reinvigorated international attention on Venezuela’s political crisis and renewed pressure on Maduro’s increasingly isolated regime.
“We decided to fight until the end and Venezuela will be free,” Machado declared, standing alongside the Norwegian prime minister, signaling her intent to continue leading the opposition movement despite the personal risks involved.
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5 Comments
It’s interesting to see a Venezuelan opposition leader crediting Trump’s actions for weakening Maduro’s regime. This highlights how complex the political situation in Venezuela is and the various international forces at play.
While I’m skeptical of Trump’s overall foreign policy approach, if his administration’s actions have helped weaken Maduro’s grip on power, that could be a positive development for the Venezuelan people. However, the path forward remains complex.
The seizure of the Venezuelan oil tanker does seem like a decisive move that has put pressure on Maduro. However, the long-term impact remains to be seen as the political crisis in Venezuela continues.
You’re right, the situation is very fluid and the outcome is still uncertain. Ongoing international pressure and support for the opposition will be crucial.
I’m curious to hear more about Machado’s perspective and her assessment of the current state of the Venezuelan regime. Her Nobel Peace Prize recognition underscores the significance of her fight for democracy.