Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino held a high-level meeting with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado in Oslo, Norway, on Thursday. The encounter marked Machado’s first public diplomatic engagement in nearly a year and occurred just before she received the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize.
Machado, who has lived clandestinely due to security concerns, expressed profound gratitude for Panama’s support during Venezuela’s prolonged political crisis. She specifically highlighted Panama’s role in safeguarding critical electoral documents for Venezuela’s opposition movement.
“The support has been extraordinary for all Venezuelans. It began with our records being safeguarded in Panama. That has been for us a demonstration of deep trust between our nations,” Machado said. [Translated from Spanish]
The opposition figure stated Panama’s actions created a turning point for those demanding electoral transparency. She described the country as the first to offer crucial international backing during the most critical moments of the Venezuelan political crisis.
A Symbolic Gesture and Regional Significance
President Mulino attended the meeting with First Lady Maricel Cohen de Mulino. The Panamanian delegation presented Machado with the dress she would wear during the official Nobel ceremony, a personal and symbolic gesture of solidarity.
In his remarks, José Raúl Mulino framed Machado’s international recognition as a positive impulse for democracy across Latin America. He connected her struggle to broader regional patterns.
“Latin America has a great future in democracy. Those countries that live in democracy are resurging positively, and now Maria Corina’s achievement is a recognition of all that,” President Mulino stated. [Translated from Spanish]
He characterized her fight as a regional symbol against repression and dictatorship. The Panamanian leader predicted the Nobel Peace Prize would fundamentally alter Venezuela’s trajectory.
Con democracia volverá la paz a Venezuela. Acompaño a @MariaCorinaYA en este maravilloso momento y acompañaré a los venezolanos a recuperar la normalidad de una gran nación!! pic.twitter.com/DwWOPAfdAD
— José Raúl Mulino (@JoseRaulMulino) December 11, 2025
Path Forward and Continued Alliance
Visibly moved during the encounter, Machado extended her thanks directly to the people of Panama and to President Mulino personally. She expressed a strong desire for a future meeting, suggesting their next conversation should happen inside a free Venezuela.
This meeting underscores Panama’s consistent diplomatic posture toward Venezuela. The Mulino administration has previously positioned itself as a potential facilitator for democratic transition, even offering asylum to officials aiding a power transfer. This aligns with earlier reports of Panama’s support for figures like corina machado.
The Oslo meeting was not an isolated event but part of a sustained engagement. presidente mulino had previously confirmed his travel to Norway to attend the Nobel ceremony, demonstrating a committed level of diplomatic support.
Both leaders framed their alliance as foundational for future regional stability. They emphasized shared democratic values as the cornerstone of Panama’s backing, a stance they believe will resonate beyond their bilateral relationship.