Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who recently received the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, declared that the award is “not just for Venezuela, but for all of Latin America.” She dedicated the honor to the Cuban people, whom she referred to as “brothers in the cause” in their shared struggle against regional dictatorships.
Speaking exclusively to Martí Noticias from hiding within Venezuela, Machado emphasized that the recognition comes at a “crucial” time in the nation's history. “We are in the final phase, after 26 years of tyranny. We have endured a brutal dictatorship, with thousands killed, imprisoned, and disappeared. But today, freedom is closer than ever,” she stressed.
Machado expressed gratitude for the support from the Cuban people both on and off the island. “I have always said: it's the same fight. Once Venezuela is free, we'll pursue the liberation of Cuba and Nicaragua. This Nobel Prize belongs not just to the Venezuelans, but also to the Cubans,” she declared.
The Nobel Prize's Impact on Latin America's Democracy
The leader, who has been persecuted and disqualified from politics for years by Nicolás Maduro’s regime, remarked that the Nobel Committee’s recognition “sends a powerful message to the world: Latin America is now a priority in defending democracy and human rights.”
Machado also responded to the recent announcement by President Donald Trump, confirming that the CIA has been authorized to operate in Venezuelan territory. “The Venezuelan people are deeply grateful for the firm stance of the Trump administration. For years, we have warned that Venezuela is not just another dictatorship but a criminal and narco-terrorist system that has handed over our territory and resources to enemies of the West,” she stated.
Confronting a Criminal Regime
According to Machado, Maduro’s regime funds its repressive machinery with resources from drug trafficking and organized crime: “Every dollar that is cut from these networks is a direct blow to Maduro, as he uses this money to suppress and expand his criminal activities.”
She recalled that the alliance between Havana and Caracas began with Hugo Chávez’s rise to power when Fidel Castro realized the strategic value of Venezuelan oil. “It was a total surrender of national sovereignty. Cuban agents infiltrated our intelligence agencies, Armed Forces, identity organizations, and key ministries. Venezuela continues to gift oil to Cuba, which resells it while the Cuban people live in darkness,” Machado denounced.
The End of Impunity in the Region
Machado warned that the axis formed by Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua “actively extends and cooperates, sharing technology, money, and intelligence,” but affirmed that “the time of impunity is over.”
“We are witnessing a coordinated response from the democracies of Latin America alongside the U.S. government. This could be the time for liberation. What happens in Venezuela will spark a wave of hope across the region,” she asserted.
She also addressed the Cuban people: “I know you have resisted with dignity and love for your country. Do not lose faith. We have great allies in the U.S. Congress: Mario Díaz-Balart, Carlos Giménez, María Elvira Salazar, Marco Rubio… all committed to the freedom of Cuba and Venezuela. The day will come when we can embrace in a free Cuba and a democratic Venezuela.”
The Venezuelan Nobel laureate highlighted the role of women in resisting authoritarian regimes and concluded her message by paying tribute to the Ladies in White: “I love you dearly. You are examples of courage and dignity. We are sisters in the same struggle.”
FAQs on Maria Corina Machado's Nobel Prize and Its Implications
What significance does Maria Corina Machado's Nobel Prize have for Latin America?
The Nobel Prize awarded to Maria Corina Machado highlights the importance of defending democracy and human rights in Latin America, sending a strong message that the region's struggles against authoritarian regimes are globally recognized.
How does Maria Corina Machado view the role of the Cuban people in the struggle for democracy?
Maria Corina Machado regards the Cuban people as "brothers in the cause," recognizing their shared struggle against dictatorship and expressing gratitude for their support in the fight for freedom in Venezuela and beyond.
What are the implications of the CIA's authorization to operate in Venezuela?
The CIA's authorization to operate in Venezuela is seen as a firm stance by the U.S. government to counter the criminal and narco-terrorist system in the country, potentially impacting the regime's ability to fund its repressive activities.