The daughter of Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado received the Nobel Peace Prize on Wednesday.Machado stated in a call to the chairman of the Nobel Committee, published just before the ceremony, that she was "very sad and deeply sorry" for not being able to arrive in Oslo on time, but added that she was on her way to the Norwegian capital."Many risked their lives so that I could get to Oslo," said the opposition figure, who had been living in hiding in Venezuela.Call for Maduro to step downThe Norwegian Nobel Committee on Wednesday called on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to step down following the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to opposition leader María Corina Machado, who was represented by her daughter."Mr. Maduro, accept the election results and step down," said Committee Chairman Jørgen Watne Frydnes, addressing the Venezuelan president, who was re-elected last year in an election that the opposition rejected."Lay the foundation for a peaceful transition to democracy, this is the will of the Venezuelan people. María Corina Machado and the Venezuelan opposition have lit a torch that cannot be extinguished by torture, lies, or fear," he added amidst applause.
