Nobel Prize winner Machado: Still in exile - with little influence

When the director of the Norwegian Nobel Institute, Christian Berg Harviken, told Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corinna Machado over the phone a year ago that she had won the Nobel Peace Prize, she couldn't believe it: "Oh my God, I'm at a loss for words, thank you very much! But I hope you understand that this is a movement and an achievement of all Venezuelans, I'm just one person and I really don't deserve this."

The committee praised her courage in fighting for democracy in Venezuela despite repression and an underground life. The Nobel Peace Prize was also her chance to escape into exile, although not in time for the award ceremony in Oslo in December.

Approaching right-wing forces

"I'm very sad and I'm very sorry, but I won't arrive in time for the ceremony, but I'm on my way there," she explained. In exile, Machado primarily sought proximity to the international right, such as Argentina's President Javier Milei, the Bolsonaro camp in Brazil and the Spanish Vox party.

Critics see this as a problematic proximity to forces that have even attacked democratic institutions. She also tirelessly campaigned for the sympathy of US President Donald Trump. He reacted offended after the Nobel Prize was awarded because he had claimed the prize himself.

Trump denies her path to power

Finally, Machado presented him with her medal. He deserved it because he had long-time ruler Nicolas Maduro arrested at the beginning of January, she told the Spanish-language US broadcaster Tele Mundo. "He was the only head of state in the world who put the lives of some of his citizens at risk for the freedom of our country."

But Trump did not make her a political leader for the reconstruction of Venezuela. Instead, the US allowed Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro's former vice president, to power. She remains firmly in the saddle as interim president to this day.

Machado remains in exile

How little Machado is protected by the USA is shown by the fact that she is still not coming into the country. "I want to return, just as hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan exiles around the world long to. We will return to embrace each other, work together and ensure an orderly, sustainable and irreversible democratic transition."

Her seventh attempt to enter the country at the end of September failed again. Those around her blame political blockages and she could face imprisonment if she returns. Demonstrations regularly show how strong their support is among the population.

Vain hope for elections

"I believe no one but Machado has the moral, ethical and sovereign authority," says one man there. Machado is still the figure who could get the majority of votes in a democratic election.

But the Venezuelans have so far been waiting in vain for elections, also because there is no pressure from Trump, whom Machado wanted to convince with his flattery.