Maria Corina Machado, a leading voice of the Venezuelan opposition, is preparing for a swift return to her homeland. Her resolve follows the stunning capture of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces, a development she believes creates a critical window for change.
Speaking with urgency, Machado revealed she had been operating in hiding for over sixteen months, carefully calculating when her voice would be most impactful. Her recent, clandestine journey to Norway to accept the Nobel Peace Prize – a tribute she dedicated to former President Donald Trump – was a calculated step in that strategy.
The situation within Venezuela is rapidly deteriorating, according to Machado. She described a sweeping executive order issued by Maduro just hours before his capture, a decree designed to silence dissent and punish those who support external intervention.
This order, Machado explained, directly targets Venezuelans who have expressed support for the actions taken by the United States. Disturbingly, she reported the detention of at least fourteen journalists, signaling a brutal escalation of the regime’s crackdown on freedom of expression.
The decree itself mandates a nationwide search and capture of anyone perceived to be involved in supporting the U.S. actions, effectively criminalizing opposition and dissent. Machado stressed the need for vigilant monitoring of these developments by both the U.S. government and the Venezuelan people.
Machado also voiced strong opposition to the appointment of Delcy Rodríguez as interim president. She characterized Rodríguez as deeply implicated in torture, corruption, and narco-trafficking, a figure wholly untrustworthy to international investors and overwhelmingly rejected by the Venezuelan populace.
The capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, marks a dramatic turning point. Both are currently being held in New York, facing charges of narco-terrorism, a consequence of years of alleged criminal activity. Machado believes this transition must continue, despite the regime’s desperate attempts to cling to power.
Machado’s immediate priority is returning to Venezuela, determined to contribute directly to the unfolding events. She believes her presence on the ground will amplify the call for a genuine and lasting transition, free from the influence of those who have perpetuated suffering and corruption.
The coming days will be crucial, Machado emphasized, requiring unwavering attention and support to ensure the fragile momentum towards freedom is not extinguished. The fate of Venezuela, she believes, hangs in the balance.
