Venezuela. They shut down the Oslo embassy for revenge

María Corina Machado is the most celebrated face of Venezuelan opposition to Nicolás Maduro. Born in Caracas in 1967, an engineer, financier and erstwhile deputy has been fighting for years for democratic change in a country plunged into crisis and authoritarianism. She may not be as recognizable as parent Teresa of Calcutta, she has no charisma of Malala Yousafzai or the global momentum of Nadia Murad, but her name is on the same list today. The Nobel Peace Prize for her, the first individual from Venezuela honored with this distinction, so has a immense symbolic dimension. The Norwegian Nobel Committee justified its appreciation for its tireless conflict for a peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.

But not everyone applauds. Following the announcement of Venezuela's decision, it was first silent to then decide to liquidate the Oslo facility. Politicians associated with Maduro, representing the left-wing Chavist camp, spoke of "political provocation", and the left-wing commentators in Europe and South America named the choice "Western hypocrisy". In their opinion, not so much a peacekeeper was awarded, but an ally of the American and Israeli right, known for her sympathy for Trump and Netanyahu. Machado has been performing in conservative forums for years, and in 2020 she signed an agreement between her movement Vente Venezuela and Israeli Likud. No wonder, therefore, that for the left, both Venezuelan and international, her Nobel became a symbol of the thought of logical division and political tension.

It's not the first time that Peaceful Nobel has caused more excitement than applause. For although Machado is neither the fresh parent Teresa nor the another Malala, she was among women who could argue injustice. This year's award fits into the tradition of distinguishing women who have the courage to act where others stay silent. Previously, Nobel Peacekeeper Jane Addams, pioneer of the peace and women's rights movement, Jody Williams, run organizer against anti-personnel mines, as well as Liberian president Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf, her compatriot Leymah Gbowee, and Yemeni writer Tawakkul Karman, who played a key function in extinguishing force and the fight for safety and the right of women to participate full in the peace-building process. Each of them showed that even 1 individual could become the voice of an full nation.

In Machado Nobel, however, has a bitter taste. This is simply a sign, on the 1 hand, that the planet has yet seen the drama of the Venezuelans, on the another hand, a reminder that erstwhile politics and large interests are involved, even a prize awarded in the name of peace can unleash a storm.