Ana Corina Sosa instead of María Corina Machado: Venezuelan opposition leader's daughter accepts Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf

OSLO: This year's Nobel Prizes have been awarded. The Nobel Peace Prize was accepted by the daughter of Maria Corina Machado (58), Ana Corina, on behalf of her mother. Maria is a voice of democracy against the authoritarian regime in Venezuela. Maria, an opposition leader and member of the National Assembly, had been living in hiding inside Venezuela for fear of the regime.

Maria had risked her life to attend the award ceremony in Oslo, Norway, but had informed the Nobel Committee that she would not be able to arrive on time. Maria, who left Venezuela by boat on Tuesday, is said to have arrived in the Caribbean country of Curacao. She started for Norway by plane, but it is not clear where she left from.

Maria's message was read out by her daughter at the awards ceremony. Maria said in her message that democratic countries must fight for freedom. Maria added that the Nobel Prize is important not only for her country but for the whole world. Maria is the second Venezuelan to win the Nobel. The prize carries 11 million Swedish kronor (Rs. 10,38,50,000) and a medal.

The Nobel Prizes were announced in the first week of October. The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded at Oslo City Hall, while the others were awarded at the Stockholm Concert Hall in Sweden.