Nobel Peace Prize Winner Maria Corina Machado Suffers Vertebra Fracture During Dangerous Escape from Venezuela

Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado sustained a vertebra fracture during her clandestine escape from Venezuela to Norway last week, her spokesperson confirmed on Monday.

Machado had previously expressed fears for her safety during the dangerous journey to Oslo where she was to receive her Nobel Prize.

According to Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten, the injury occurred during a high-risk sea crossing aboard a small fishing vessel that encountered turbulent waves.

"The vertebra fracture is confirmed," stated Machado's spokeswoman, Claudia Macero, who declined to provide additional details beyond what was reported in the Aftenposten article.

The newspaper reported that Machado underwent medical examination at Oslo University Hospital in Ulleval following her arrival.

After reaching Oslo early Thursday, the 58-year-old had repeatedly mentioned her need to consult a doctor, though she did not disclose specific medical concerns at the time.

Machado had been scheduled to attend the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in the Norwegian capital on Wednesday but was delayed and unable to arrive in time for the event.

Despite her injury, AFP journalists witnessed Machado climbing over a barrier to greet supporters waiting outside her hotel shortly after her arrival in Oslo.

Machado has publicly accused President Nicolas Maduro of fraudulently claiming victory in Venezuela's July 2024 election, from which she was barred from participating—allegations supported by much of the international community.

She had been living in hiding within Venezuela since August 2024 after challenging Maduro's authority.

Venezuelan authorities had declared they would consider her a fugitive if she left the country, and Machado has shared minimal information about her escape route.

Reports indicate she disguised herself with a wig to travel from Caracas to Venezuela's northern coast, successfully passing through ten checkpoints undetected.

Bryan Stern, who leads a nonprofit rescue organization, claims he participated in the extraction operation, codenamed "Golden Dynamite."

Upon reaching the coast, Machado boarded a small wooden fishing boat, specifically chosen to avoid suspicion and potential targeting by U.S. anti-drug trafficking operations.

The initial vessel experienced mechanical difficulties and lost GPS capability. Machado was subsequently transferred to another boat at sea, where she met Stern before embarking on a 13-14 hour journey.

This vessel transported her to Curacao, where she boarded a private jet to Oslo, making a brief stop in the United States en route.

In a Friday conversation with AFP, Machado recounted fearing for her life during the journey.

"There were moments when I felt that there was a real risk to my life, and it was also a very spiritual moment because, in the end, I simply felt that I was in God's hands and that whatever would be, would be," she told reporters in Oslo.