"Jrgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel committee, told the award ceremony that Maria Corina Machado has done everything in her power to be able to attend the ceremony here today a journey in a situation of extreme danger. Although she will not be able to reach this ceremony and today's events, we are profoundly happy to confirm that she is safe, and that she will be with us here in Oslo, he said to applause."
"Machado said in an audio recording of a phone call published on the Nobel website that many people had risked their lives for her to arrive in Oslo. I am very grateful to them, and this is a measure of what this recognition means to the Venezuelan people, she said, before indicating that she was about to board a plane."
"Machado said that since this is a prize for all Venezuelans, I believe that it will be received by them. And as soon as I arrive, I will be able to embrace all my family and my children that I've have not seen for two years and so many Venezuelans, Norwegians that I know that share our struggle and our fight."
Maria Corina Machado remains in hiding after briefly being detained Jan. 9 following a protest in Caracas. Her daughter, Ana Corina Sosa, accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in Norway on Machado's behalf and read a speech written by Machado emphasizing Venezuela's need to fight for freedom. The Norwegian Nobel Committee said Machado attempted to attend but could not reach the ceremony because of extreme danger, and confirmed she is safe. Machado thanked those who risked their lives to enable her travel, said the prize is for all Venezuelans, and expressed hope to embrace family and children she has not seen for two years. Prominent Latin American leaders attended in solidarity.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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