The expression hacer una vaca is very common in Venezuela. Its international equivalent would be hacer una colecta. Gabriela Onetto, a 42-year-old Venezuelan, resorted to this old strategy to raise the money that will take her this week from Costa Rica to Norway. "When we found out that María Corina would be in Oslo to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, we got to work to raise funds so that at least one person could travel and represent all of us. Each one, from their heart, contributed what they could from their pocket".
About 20 people raised the $2,600 that Gabriela will use to pay for her 14-hour flight to Oslo (with a layover in Amsterdam), her three-day stay in an "economical hotel," and her return. Like her, hundreds of her compatriots scattered around the world are making every effort to travel to the Nordic country and witness what they call a "historic moment": the award ceremony of the Nobel Peace Prize to their democratic leader, María Corina Machado, on Wednesday, December 10. In the Norwegian capital, they will be welcomed by Erika Holm, another Venezuelan migrant.
Nelson Izquierdo, 66, is traveling from Tokyo (Japan), where he has lived for 15 years. He chose the cheapest option for his flight, with layovers in Beijing and Brussels. Machado's leadership is a hope for his family: "My father, 93, was persecuted during the dictatorship of Pérez Jiménez [former authoritarian president of Venezuela in the 1950s]. My brothers and I have told him that he will not die under a dictatorship, that we are fighting for democracy and peace," he expresses minutes before boarding. "It will be an honor to accompany other Venezuelans who are making that effort to raise our voice, our spirit, our heart and to thank the recognition to the Venezuelan people".
Norway is not exactly a cheap country. But the effort of Venezuelans to be there does not always rely on the economic aspect. An example of this is a couple who are part of the Vente Venezuela (VV) party. Both speak with EL MUNDO from somewhere in the Middle East, under the condition of anonymity. Their trip could cost them their freedom in their exile home. "Our biggest challenge is that here any kind of political activism is prohibited by law. We would face life imprisonment," they assert. "We go with much love, with great excitement, and a little bit of fear, but here we go".
Another young Venezuelan knows what it means to risk his life for his country. After a year of living in hiding, protecting himself from Maduro's threats, he fled to Colombia three months ago. He also asks to keep his name hidden to avoid "transnational violence," ordered by the dictatorship, which has been recently demonstrated with the attempted assassination of two VV leaders in Bogotá. "That Nobel is not only María Corina's, but of all Venezuelans: a recognition of the struggle we have had for the rescue of democracy," he argues.
He also hizo una vaca to raise the money that will fund his trip. "I will take advantage of the layovers to pass through Madrid and Amsterdam, because I will reunite with friends and family whom I have not seen in many years, like my brother, whom I have not hugged in six years," he explains. "Furthermore, upon my return, I will visit my mom, who does not live in Venezuela, but I will not say where she is for security reasons. She was an oncology patient and was already discharged, but three months ago she was captured by the regime, she was held for about 18 hours for me to surrender. Reuniting with my mom after that, for me, will mean a lot".
Ronan Cabriza, 32, has been in Iceland since 2023. He was another of those persecuted and threatened by Maduro. "I bought a ticket and accommodation, quite expensive, by the way, but I could not miss this opportunity to reunite with our people". He will travel from Keflavik to Warsaw, and from there to Oslo, where he will stay for three days. "The Nobel comes at an opportune, crucial, and necessary moment for the whole country: it nourishes us and fills us with faith that the rebirth of Venezuela is very close," he opines for this newspaper, hours before boarding his plane.
Mari Urbain, a 56-year-old Caracas native, lost a family member who was killed in a protest in 2016. It was the last straw to decide to emigrate. From exile, she has remained involved in politics. Now, she will travel from Belgium. "María Corina has been our iron lady, our inspiration and strength to fight to see Venezuela free," she states. Although Mari had to use a month's minimum wage and postpone a vacation in Madrid, she does not see Oslo as a sacrifice but as "an opportunity".
Erika, a 52-year-old Venezuelan -14 of them lived in Norway-, will be waiting for all these travelers. She is the president of the Norwegian Venezuelan Justice Alliance (NorVen), an association that started as cultural but inevitably turned towards politics. "In Norway, they did not know our flag. They did not really know the situation. But since the day they named María Corina a Nobel laureate, there has been constant talk not only about her but about the dictatorship. Finally, the whole problem of Venezuela is known," she applauds. Erika considers herself "the host" and has organized an agenda to celebrate the Peace Week with her compatriots. The highlighted activity is the Torchlight March, which pays tribute to the prize winner every year.
There is no certainty that Machado will receive the award in person this Wednesday. But that will not discourage the Venezuelans. "I trust that she knows what she has to do. Her judgment above all, because she has shown that she is not just brilliant but beyond. Of course, I want her to come and hear her speech," Erika concludes with her greatest wish.