UPDATE: Venezuelan Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado has made a bold statement from hiding, declaring that President Nicolas Maduro’s time in power is over, and he must choose a peaceful exit. In an urgent interview with AFP, Machado emphasized that Maduro could secure personal guarantees if he agrees to a transition, stating, “Maduro currently has the opportunity to move toward a peaceful transition.”
As tensions escalate, Machado warned, “With or without negotiation, he will leave power.” This announcement comes amid a significant buildup of US military presence off the coast of Venezuela, marking a critical moment in the ongoing political crisis. Machado’s comments reflect the increasing pressure on Maduro’s regime, which has ruled for over 25 years.
The 58-year-old opposition leader expressed her disbelief at her recent Nobel win, calling it one of the biggest surprises of her life. She aims to leverage this recognition to intensify pressure against Maduro, who has faced mounting criticism both domestically and internationally. “We are ready to offer guarantees, guarantees that we will not make public until we are sitting at that negotiation table,” she stated, hinting at a potential path forward.
Machado revealed that support is growing within the military, a crucial component of Maduro’s power structure. “More and more, they (military personnel) are reaching out and providing us with information,” she noted, suggesting a shift in allegiance could be on the horizon. The stakes are high as Machado prepares for possible negotiations, stating, “We all — civilians and military — have a role to play.”
The Trump administration has significantly increased its military presence in the region, deploying eight warships in August, the largest buildup in the Western Hemisphere since the invasion of Panama in 1989. Sources suggest imminent strikes targeting locations inside Venezuela, indicating that the situation is evolving rapidly.
Machado has not shied away from characterizing Maduro’s regime as one in crisis. “They know we are in a final and decisive phase,” she asserted, highlighting recent arrests of opposition members and intensified repression as signs of a desperate government. She accused Maduro of fostering foreign infiltration, stating, “The real invasion here is by Cubans, Russians, Iranians, Hezbollah, Hamas, drug cartels, and the FARC guerrilla.”
Despite these challenges, Machado remains optimistic, dedicating her Nobel award to the suffering Venezuelan people and acknowledging the support from the US. “There’s a broad consensus among Venezuelans to recognize President Trump for what we see as just and necessary,” she said, reinforcing the need for international support.
Looking ahead, Machado confirmed that opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia has invited her to serve as vice president, indicating her commitment to the cause. “I’ll be wherever I can be most useful to our country,” she stated.
As she continues to navigate her time in hiding, Machado concluded, “I have no doubt we’re in a countdown.” Her urgent call for action resonates as the world watches closely, anticipating the next moves in a high-stakes political drama that could change the course of Venezuela’s future.
