Venezuelans are living in a state of flux, with Caracas residents reacting on Thursday to opposition leader Maria Corina Machado's arrival in Oslo hours after official ceremony of her Nobel Peace Prize.

But their optimism is contrasted with the reality of ever-rising tensions with the US.

"This morning I saw the videos of her in the balcony at the hotel and I said: she made it. Now lets hope something is achieved", said dressmaker Isabel Lara who also expressed concern about the Venezuelan oil tanker the U.S. seized.

"They have to pay the country where that (oil) comes from."

The seizure marks a dramatic escalation in President Donald Trump's campaign to pressure strongman Nicolás Maduro by cutting off access to oil revenues that have long been the lifeblood of Venezuela's economy.

It could also signal a broader U.S. campaign to clamp down on ships like the Skipper, which experts and U.S. officials say is part of a shadowy fleet of rusting oil tankers that smuggle oil for countries facing stiff sanctions, such as Venezuela, Russia and Iran.

The seizure came just as opposition leader Maria Corina Machado made it to Oslo, appearing in public for the first time in 11 months.

She had been in hiding since January 9, when she was briefly detained after joining supporters in a protest in Caracas.

Machado arrived in Oslo hours after Wednesday's prize ceremony in which her daughter, Ana Corina Machado, received the prize for her and gave a speech that marveled many Venezuelans.

"The girl's speech was excellent, very motivating. And now we are waiting to see what happens", said Frinyer Carrillo, a 24 year-old merchant in Caracas.

AP Video shot by Juan Arraez