María Corina Machado returns to Oslo, says mission is 'almost complete'

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has returned to Oslo, Norway, to participate in the Oslo Freedom Forum 2026, an event focused on human rights and democracy. Machado, who previously received the Nobel Peace Prize, announced her return on social media platform X, stating that a mission she began in the city years ago is now "almost complete."

"Back in Oslo… When I left Venezuela, I did so with a mission that began in this city. Today, I return with that mission almost completed, to speak to the Venezuelans who await us at home and also to those who are here in Norway," Machado posted on X. Her official spokesperson's account shared that she would address "freedom, democracy, and the struggle of the Venezuelan people."

The Oslo Freedom Forum is recognized as one of the world's most influential gatherings on human rights. Machado's participation comes as part of an international strategy to pressure for a political transition in Venezuela. The event's organizers noted that Machado was forced into hiding after Venezuela's July 28, 2024, presidential election and that her peaceful advocacy for democracy earned her the Nobel Peace Prize a year later.

Machado has consistently stated her intention to return to Venezuela to participate in the final phase of the country's democratic transition. Her presence at the Oslo Freedom Forum underscores her ongoing international efforts to advocate for free and fair elections and democratic reforms in her home country.