Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, María Corina Machado, suffered a fractured vertebra during the clandestine and perilous journey from her homeland to Norway last week, her spokesperson has confirmed.
The Perilous Voyage to Oslo
The injury was reportedly sustained during a high-risk sea crossing in a small fishing boat that was battered by heavy waves. Machado had previously expressed fears for her life during the secretive voyage undertaken to reach Oslo and receive her prestigious award.
Her spokesperson, Claudia Macera, stated, "The vertebra fracture is confirmed," adding that no further details beyond those in a report by Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten would be disclosed. The newspaper revealed that the 58-year-old leader was examined by doctors at Oslo University hospital in Ulleval after her arrival.
A Delayed Nobel Ceremony and Defiant Spirit
Machado arrived in Oslo in the early hours of Thursday, 11 December 2025, having missed the official Nobel Peace Prize ceremony the previous Wednesday due to the delays caused by her escape. Despite the painful injury, her determination was clear.
Shortly after arriving, she climbed over a barrier to greet supporters gathered outside her hotel, demonstrating a resilience that has defined her political career. On several occasions after landing, she had indicated a desire to see a doctor, though initially withheld specific medical details.
The Context of a Dangerous Escape
The incident underscores the extreme risks faced by political dissidents. Reports indicate that the planner of Machado's escape even feared a potential US strike on her vessel as it fled Venezuelan waters. Her journey highlights the ongoing political turmoil in Venezuela and the extraordinary lengths to which its opposition figures must go to operate on the global stage.
The confirmation of a spinal injury adds a stark, physical dimension to the narrative of her struggle, transforming her arrival in Norway not just into a moment of diplomatic recognition, but also one of personal sacrifice and survival.
