Carolina Barrero Criticizes Detractors of María Corina Machado's Nobel Peace Prize as "Moral Gymnasts"

Cuban activist Carolina Barrero has labeled those criticizing the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to María Corina Machado as "moral gymnasts." Barrero expressed her disdain for supposed feminists and intellectuals who, she claims, perform mental acrobatics to discredit the award by arguing Machado's political status, her alleged calls for invasion, or her support for Trump.

"I want to make something very clear: human rights are not the property of the left. However, human rights are political, as their conception and drafting arose from a political moment: post-war ideas about the necessity of a new global order based on peace, coexistence, and respect for human dignity," Barrero emphasized.

According to the Cuban activist, the criticisms of the Nobel laureate are evidence of the double standards within the Latin American left. "I don't believe any of the moral gymnasts attacking her today. And I'm glad: their twisted pain reveals the root of their discomfort, which is none other than a lack of honesty, tribal militancy, and resentment towards freedom," she stated.

Barrero believes that part of the resentment towards Machado's Nobel stems from the left's ideological claim to ownership and the fervent belief that moral superiority grants them this ownership. "The other part of the discontent with the Nobel comes from something older and dirtier: misogyny," she added.

"Human rights are political but are not owned by any ideology. They belong neither to the right nor the left. Although, in fairness, they owe much more to European humanist liberalism than to socialist traditions," she continued.

The criticisms levied against the Venezuelan Nobel laureate "do not withstand serious and honest scrutiny. No one has cornered the Venezuelan regime through peaceful means like Machado. Winning elections against an authoritarian regime, proving fraud, maintaining the unity of a fragmented opposition, and continuing to appeal to the Armed Forces to stand with the people is no small feat. It is a titanic effort that Machado has accomplished," Barrero concluded.

María Corina Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for her "tireless efforts in promoting the democratic rights of the Venezuelan people and her struggle to achieve a fair and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy," according to an official statement from the Nobel Committee in Oslo.

The Committee's President, Jørgen Watne Frydnes, described Machado as "a courageous and dedicated defender of peace" and assured that she "keeps the flame of democracy alive amidst growing darkness."

The opposition leader reacted emotionally upon receiving the Committee's call: "Oh my God… I have no words. It is an honor, and I know it is excellent news for the people of Venezuela."

On her social media, Machado dedicated the award to Venezuelans and reaffirmed her commitment to freedom: "This immense recognition of the struggle of all Venezuelans is a boost to complete our task: conquering Liberty."

She also expressed gratitude for international support: "Today more than ever, we count on President Trump, the American people, the peoples of Latin America, and the democratic nations of the world."

With this accolade, Machado becomes the first Venezuelan to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, establishing herself as one of the most influential figures in Latin America today. Her leadership in the democratic movement in Venezuela has been crucial in unifying the opposition against the Chavista regime and advocating for free elections and a peaceful transition in the South American country.