• Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado's press conference ahead of the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony was canceled.
• Machado is currently in hiding due to a decade-long travel ban imposed by Nicolás Maduro's regime.
• The Nobel Institute expressed uncertainty about Machado's whereabouts and attendance at the ceremony.
• Despite the challenges, Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote democracy in Venezuela.
• The award ceremony is set for Wednesday in Oslo, attended by several Latin American leaders.

The planned press conference for María Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, was canceled by the Norwegian Nobel Institute a day before the award ceremony. The cancellation reflects concerns over her current whereabouts and the challenges of her journey to Oslo, as she has been in hiding due to a decade-long travel ban imposed by President Nicolás Maduro’s regime, prompting widespread speculation about her ability to attend the ceremony, according to Reuters and BBC.

Machado, who won the Nobel Peace Prize for her fight against authoritarianism in Venezuela, has not been seen in public for 11 months, with her last appearance occurring during a protest against Maduro's re-election. Despite this, she has dedicated her victory to U.S. President Donald Trump and aligned with his hawkish views, increasing her visibility on the international stage, according to NPR and Le Monde.

The Nobel Institute had positioned Machado as a beacon of hope for democracy in a region plagued by authoritarianism, but her situation is complicated by the Venezuelan government's warnings that she would be treated as a "fugitive" should she leave the country. Amidst the increasing tensions surrounding her potential attendance, several family members have already gathered in Oslo, while Machado's actual location remains undisclosed, according to South China Morning Post and Los Angeles Times.

Inside Venezuela, Machado’s absence is also a matter of concern as her supporters and critics alike monitor her action or inaction regarding the regime. As Maduro continues to consolidate power, the implications of Machado's absence or presence at the Nobel ceremony could significantly impact the opposition's strategy moving forward, reports Reuters and Al Jazeera.