Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado will not be present in person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize at Wednesday’s award ceremony in Oslo, according to the director of the Norwegian Nobel Institute.

Her current whereabouts remain unknown. Machado, 58, had been scheduled to receive the prestigious award at Oslo City Hall in the presence of King Harald, Queen Sonja, and leaders from across Latin America.

The ceremony begins at 1 pm local time. She won the prize despite a decade-long travel ban imposed by Venezuelan authorities and having spent over a year in hiding.

In her absence, the award will be accepted on her behalf by her daughter, Ana Corina Sosa Machado, who will also deliver the Nobel lecture.

When she was announced as the laureate in October, Machado dedicated part of the honor to US President Donald Trump, reflecting her controversial alignment with international political actors advocating for democratic reforms in Venezuela.

Machado has long been a voice for human rights and democracy in Venezuela, speaking out against political oppression, electoral suppression, and abuses by state authorities.

She faced obstacles including being barred from the 2024 presidential election despite winning the opposition primary by a large margin, forcing her into hiding after widespread arrests of opposition figures.

The Nobel Institute’s recognition underscores the international support for democracy and human rights in Venezuela.

Scholars and observers have noted that honoring Machado provides the Venezuelan opposition with a symbolic figure for hope and resilience. “Democratic movements need a face. They need a story,” said Christopher Sabatini, a senior fellow at Chatham House.

Machado’s award highlights the ongoing struggle for freedom, accountability, and peaceful governance in Venezuela, and draws attention to the courage of individuals who risk personal safety to uphold democratic principles and the rights of citizens.