Maria Corina Machado, this year's Nobel laureate, arriving in Oslo, Norway. AP=Yonhap News

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado (58) has predicted the inevitable downfall of Venezuelan dictator President Nicolas Maduro and stated that she is focusing on a peaceful transition of power.

According to Reuters and other news outlets, Machado stated at a press conference in Oslo, Norway, on the 12th (local time) that while the Maduro regime still has time to negotiate a peaceful transfer of power, "Maduro will eventually leave power, whether through negotiation or not," emphasizing, "We are focused on an orderly and peaceful transition of power."

Having been in hiding and leading anti-government movements since the Venezuelan presidential election last July, she secretly left Venezuela to attend the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony scheduled for the 10th. However, due to bad weather, she arrived in Norway on the morning of the 11th, a day after the ceremony, and is now speaking out.

Regarding concerns that Venezuela might fall into civil war chaos like Libya, Syria, or Afghanistan after the Maduro regime ends, she argued, "These comparisons have no basis whatsoever because the situations are completely different," and claimed, "Venezuela is a well-organized society without religious, ethnic, regional, or socio-political divisions."

She added, "I am confident that once the transition of power begins, the vast majority of the Venezuelan military and police will obey the orders, guidelines, and instructions of the superiors appointed by a civilian government legitimately elected by the people."

Furthermore, in response to the US administration under Donald Trump's increasing possibility of military intervention, such as designating the Venezuelan regime as a 'drug cartel' and deploying a large military force in the Caribbean, she expressed her support, stating, "I am certain that the situation in Venezuela is a top priority for the national security of the United States and the security of the entire Americas."

Recently, the United States has been conducting daily military operations under the guise of eradicating drug cartels, including sinking suspected Venezuelan drug-carrying vessels and deploying an aircraft carrier strike group in the Caribbean. President Maduro has protested, claiming the United States is seeking regime change due to Venezuela's vast oil resources.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee previously selected Machado as this year's Nobel Peace Prize laureate, stating, "She has worked tirelessly to promote the democratic rights of the Venezuelan people. She has fought for a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy."

However, there was controversy over whether she was a suitable Nobel laureate due to her support for US military intervention to oust President Maduro.