Venezuelan opposition forces consecrate Machado as their leader
Amman3 min read
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Venezuelan opposition forces consecrated Maria Corina Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, as their leader under a "Great National Agreement" announced on Sunday, at a time when one wing of the opposition is negotiating with the authorities to achieve a democratic transition in the country.
According to the final document presented at the end of a meeting held in the capital, Caracas, about ten months after the US military arrested President Nicolas Maduro, members of the "Unitary Democratic Platform" agreed to "ratify the mandate for political change expressed by Venezuelans at the ballot box, and to recognize and support the leadership of Maria Corina Machado," noting that she currently lives in exile in Panama.
In a speech delivered via video, Machado said, "We are now at the beginning of a new era. We will finally transform into the reality of a liberal democratic republic... around these values: freedom, equality, security, unity, and protection," affirming that "Venezuela will be free."
She added, "Venezuela has gone through years of total darkness. We have suffered much, and we have lost much... It is unacceptable to waste time. The chants of the people must be heard, as well as the urgent situation of those who can no longer wait."
Observers believe that Washington played a role in obstructing Machado's return, especially in light of President Donald Trump's repeated expression of satisfaction with acting President Delcy Rodriguez, who previously held the position of Maduro's vice president.
Despite these allegations, which are denied by US officials, Machado thanked Trump again for the arrest of Maduro and said, "I have always been grateful to the President of the United States for opening a door toward progress in the direction of freedom, democracy, and true sovereignty."
Political representatives put forward 14 proposals to restore democracy in the country, in addition to establishing a "roadmap" for holding general elections.
The members also agreed to "demand the full and unconditional release of political prisoners, the return of exiles, an end to political repression (...) and to guarantee the full freedom of political parties, the cancellation of bans on running for office and administrative measures taken against political organizations, in addition to strengthening policies for the protection of human rights."
The "Unitary Democratic Platform" emphasized the need to "support the democratic roadmap to reach an organized and peaceful process that allows for effective negotiations and the organization of free, competitive, and verifiable elections."
However, no date has been set for the elections, while the "Vente" party, led by Machado, is demanding that elections be held in 2027 and insists on setting a date for them.
This major agreement comes at a time when the third round of talks between the authorities and a part of the opposition is currently taking place in Caracas. Machado was not invited to participate in these talks, but she stated that she would not obstruct this process.
