Venezuelan opposition leader, María Corina Machado said the US helped her get to Norway to receive her Nobel Peace Prize.

It comes as Washington exerts pressure on the authoritarian government of President Nicolás Maduro.

Machado, who had been in hiding in Venezuela, said that her country will soon be “democratic and free.”

She also spoke of her “duty” to return to her country with her award, no matter who is in power.

Tanker seized: Machado spoke a day after the US seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, ramping up a campaign that has included moving troops into the Caribbean, strikes on suspected drug boats and threats against its leader.

She called US President Donald Trump’s actions “decisive” in weakening Maduro’s regime.