María Corina Machado and Jonas Gahr Støre.
Nobel Peace Prize Laurate Maria Corina Machado and Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Credit: Franziska Schminke / DIO

The speech as delivered

Well, first I would like to express a very warm welcome on behalf of the Government of Norway, and may I say – on behalf of all Norwegians – to this year's Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Maria Corina Machado. – To see you safe and sound at last.

We’ve waited for you, and I told you today that the Nobel ceremony was not without you. You had a tremendous presence in that hall, not only the picture of you, but also the voice of your daughter reading your message.

And at the dinner at the hotel yesterday, where we were counting down to see you arriving in Oslo – that was an emotional moment, and I think it brought your message, your story and your struggle for democracy very close to the Norwegian public. – That was a very strong moment.

All the better to see you here standing today. You are heartily welcome.

The Nobel Committee makes its choice on every year's prize, based on interpreting the will of Alfred Nobel.

And I think this year's prize has a special significance by the very strong emphasis of the link between a democracy – and the way to freedom and peace. – Not only between nations, but in a nation.

In Venezuela, we have a situation where an authoritarian regime is waging war on its people with millions of refugees and injustice.

And there cannot be peace until democracy and elections are respected. So, that is the message that we are receiving – of great importance for Venezuela – but also a message that has universal bearing.

This is all about fighting for your fundamental human rights – at a time when democracy is under threat. There are so many countries where this is relevant today. Unfortunately, there are now fewer democracies, and more authoritarian regimes. That is the trend.

So, I would like to salute you, Madam Laureate, for your struggle. It has cost you a lot. It costs you and your family and your people a lot. And I think that what we all heard from your daughter yesterday, and from your family and the people who have come here, now thinking about those who are in jail, those who suffer, those who have aspirations for democracy – that is a strong message of these Nobel Laureate days in Oslo.

Maria, please, you have the floor.