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The Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner, María Corina Machado, suffered a vertebral fracture during her daring exit from Venezuela, an injury that has extended her stay in Norway while she undergoes medical evaluations and follows the recommendations of specialists.
According to the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten, citing sources close to the leader, the fracture occurred during the maritime journey that Machado undertook to escape the country, amid extreme weather conditions and after passing through numerous military checkpoints.
An extreme journey that left physical scars
According to a source familiar with the case, the injury is directly related to the physical strain endured during the escape. "The journey involved five hours in an open sea vessel, under very intense circumstances," the mentioned media outlet stated.
The crossing was made in a small fishing boat across the Caribbean Sea, amidst strong winds and high waves, after passing at least ten military checkpoints within Venezuela. To evade surveillance, Machado even used a wig as part of his disguise when leaving his hideout on the outskirts of Caracas.
Unwavering political commitment despite the injury
Despite the medical diagnosis, people close to the leader insisted that the fracture will not prevent her return to Venezuela in the future.
"Machado has a firm intention to return to the country. She remains fully committed to her political and democratic struggle, although she will respect medical advice," stated a source quoted by the Norwegian site.
During her stay in Oslo, the opposition member has maintained part of her public agenda, including a visit to the Norwegian Parliament, which demonstrates her willingness to remain active despite physical limitations.
A plan for escape that has been in the works for months
Machado's journey was planned for nearly two months by a network of collaborators, according to Aftenposten, and culminated with her departure to Curacao, from where she continued on to Europe. According to The Wall Street Journal, U.S. defense authorities were informed of the route to avoid any military incidents during the maritime journey.
The complexity of the escape prevented Machado from arriving on time for the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo. Instead, her daughter Ana Corina Sosa accepted the award and delivered a speech on behalf of her mother at the City Hall of the Norwegian capital.
Medical silence for confidentiality
Although Aftenposten reported that Machado was evaluated at Ullevål University Hospital, the institution declined to confirm or deny the information.
"The hospital cannot respond to this type of inquiry due to mandatory privacy and confidentiality reasons," stated its spokesperson, Anders Bayer.
For the moment, it is unknown how long Machado will stay in Norway or where he will receive specialized treatment for his injury, while his commitment to the democratic future of Venezuela remains unchanged.
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