35 West María Corina in Oslo
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Dec 18, 2025 
In this conversation, Alexandra Winkler, a non-resident senior associate with the CSIS Americas Program and former deputy mayor of El Atillo, shares her firsthand experiences from Oslo during María Corina Machado's Nobel ceremony. Alexandra highlights Machado's dramatic journey from Venezuela, her significance as an opposition leader, and the impactful message she conveyed to Venezuelans. They delve into the importance of the Nobel Prize in shedding light on Venezuela's democracy struggle and what Machado's return could mean for the movement.
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Daring Escape And Midnight Arrival
- Alexandra Winkler described Maria Corina Machado's clandestine 16-month escape and dramatic arrival in Oslo at 2:30 a.m. after slipping past multiple military checkpoints and a risky sea exfiltration.
- Machado immediately greeted supporters, spoke publicly, and continued engagements the next day, showing remarkable stamina and commitment.
Continuity From Grassroots To Global Recognition
- Alexandra traced Machado's arc from engineer and NGO worker to opposition leader who built grassroots election logistics across Venezuela.
- Her peaceful, ground-level campaigning and election-monitoring gave legitimacy to the opposition and justified the Nobel recognition.
Nobel As Collective Recognition
- 'El Nobel es nuestro' framed the prize as collective recognition for Venezuelans, not just Machado.
- The award amplified international urgency and legitimacy for the opposition's claims of fraud and repression.