Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado displays vote tally sheets during a protest against the reelection of President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela, August 28, 2024. ARIANA CUBILLOS / AP

Nobel officials canceled a press conference with Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado in Oslo Tuesday, December 9, as it was unclear where the Venezuelan opposition leader was and whether she would collect her award in person. Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on October 10 for her efforts to bring democracy to Venezuela, challenging the iron-fisted rule of Nicolas Maduro, who has been president since 2013.

Originally scheduled for 1 pm, the press conference with the 58-year-old, who went into hiding in her country in August 2024, was first postponed before finally being canceled. "Maria Corina Machado herself said how difficult it was to come to Norway. We hope she will attend the Nobel Prize award ceremony" on Wednesday, institute spokesman Erik Aasheim told Agence France-Presse (AFP).

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