A possible leak that preceded the announcement of the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado could “very likely” be related to espionage, the Nobel Institute stated on Saturday, October 11.
The odds of María Corina Machado winning the prize jumped from 3.75% to almost 73% in a few hours overnight from Thursday to Friday on the Polymarket predictive betting platform.
However, no expert or media had mentioned her among the favorites for the Nobel Prize, announced a few hours later in Oslo.
The Nobel Institute was the target of attacks “for decades”
“Most likely it is espionage,” Nobel Institute director Kristian Berg Harpviken told Norwegian broadcaster TV2.
“It is no secret that the Institute is a victim of espionage,” he said, before adding that “this has been happening for decades.”
“It is obvious that the institution is of interest to the actors who wish to obtain information, whether they are States or other organizations,” he stated. “The motivations can be both political and economic.” He said the institute would conduct an investigation. “If necessary, we will further strengthen security,” he added.
Very few people informed in advance
An extremely limited number of people know in advance the name of the winner chosen by the five members of the Nobel Committee. In the past, unexpected names of suitors have appeared in the Norwegian media, fueling speculation about possible leaks. But this has not been the case in recent years.
María Corina Machado, leader of Venezuela’s political opposition, excluded from the 2024 presidential race, was recognized “for her tireless work in favor of the democratic rights of the Venezuelan people and for her fight for a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy,” the committee said.
The Nobel Peace Prize has long been coveted by US President Donald Trump. With the selection of this winner, the White House considered that the Nobel committee had put “politics before peace.”
Source: BFM TV
