UPDATE: In a striking declaration, Venezuelan Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado announced that Nicolas Maduro’s time in power is over, stating he can leave peacefully “with or without” negotiations. Speaking from hiding, Machado emphasized the urgency of a peaceful transition as tensions escalate with a flotilla of US gunboats amassing off the coast of Venezuela.
Machado, who won the Nobel Prize just last week, called on Maduro to seize the opportunity for a peaceful exit, offering personal guarantees if he steps down. “Maduro currently has the opportunity to move toward a peaceful transition,” she told AFP. “If he continues to resist, the consequences will be entirely his responsibility.”
The situation is critical as Machado warns, “with or without negotiation, he will leave power.” She admitted being shocked by her Nobel win, stating, “It was one of the biggest surprises of my life, and I have to admit that even today, three days later, I’m still processing it.”
The pressure is mounting on Maduro, who has ruled for over a quarter-century. Machado aims to leverage her recent accolade and increasing international pressure, particularly from the United States, to facilitate a transition away from a regime characterized by repression. She revealed that guarantees would also be extended to military personnel who assist in the transition, a crucial move given the military’s role in sustaining Maduro’s regime.
“This message has been sent to the entire structure of the armed forces, police, and public employees,” Machado said. “More and more, they (military personnel) are reaching out and providing us with information.” When asked about the prospect of an uprising, she asserted, “We all — civilians and military — have a role to play.”
“They know we are in a final and decisive phase. In recent hours, several comrades have been arrested, and repression is intensifying,”
Machado stated, emphasizing the regime’s desperation. She characterized the ongoing arrests as an attempt by Maduro to maintain the appearance of strength amidst mounting challenges.
The backdrop to this political turmoil includes a significant military buildup by the United States. In August 2023, the US deployed eight warships to the region, marking the largest military presence in the Western Hemisphere since the US invasion of Panama in 1989. Machado noted that the Trump administration has targeted vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking, resulting in at least 21 deaths.
While Machado refrained from speculating about potential US military intervention, she highlighted the seriousness of the situation. “The Nobel and the deployment were a fatal blow,” she stated, indicating that the regime is aware of its precarious position.
Maduro has publicly disparaged Machado, labeling her a “demonic witch” and accusing her of inciting foreign invasion. Despite this, Machado maintains open communication with US officials and allies across Latin America and Europe, insisting that her recent recognition and international military presence signal a turning point for Venezuela.
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, Machado expressed confidence in the opposition’s claim to victory, alleging that the National Electoral Council declared Maduro the winner without releasing detailed results after a cyberattack. “The one who declared war on Venezuelans is Nicolas Maduro,” she asserted, condemning the regime for its ties to foreign influences, including Cuban and Russian operatives.
Machado dedicated her Nobel Prize to “the suffering Venezuelan people” and to President Trump, asserting, “There’s a broad consensus among Venezuelans to recognize President Trump for what we see as just and necessary.”
In a final note, she revealed that opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia has proposed she serve as vice president, stating, “I’ll be wherever I can be most useful to our country.” Reflecting on her time in hiding, Machado concluded, “I’m not counting the days — I’m subtracting the ones that remain. I have no doubt we’re in a countdown.”
As the political landscape shifts rapidly, all eyes remain on Venezuela, where the fate of Maduro’s regime hangs in the balance amid growing international pressure and the resolve of the opposition.
