Facts about María Corina Machado
1. María Corina Machado is a Venezuelan politician and activist, widely
known for her opposition to the authoritarian regime of Nicolás Maduro and her
advocacy for democracy and human rights.
• Source: Revista Comunicación (2024).
2. Machado was born in Caracas, Venezuela, in 1967, and grew up in a
politically active family, with her father, a prominent businessman, being involved in
public affairs.
• Source: Yale World Fellows (n.d.).
3. She studied industrial engineering at the Central University of
Venezuela, and later earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the
John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
• Source: Yale World Fellows (n.d.).
4. In 2000, María Corina Machado co-founded the Vente Venezuela
political party, which is a center-right political organization that focuses on
advocating for democracy, the defense of human rights, and free market policies.
• Source: VENTE Venezuela (2021).
5. Machado was first elected to the Venezuelan National Assembly in
2010, where she became a strong voice for opposition to the Chávez regime.
• Source: Redalyc (n.d.).
6. She became the most prominent opposition leader in Venezuela after
the death of Hugo Chávez in 2013, and ran for president in the 2013 elections.
• Source: Atlantic Council (2024).
7. In 2014, Machado was one of the key leaders in the Venezuelan
protests, known as La Salida, which called for the resignation of President Nicolás
Maduro.
• Source: Revista Comunicación (2024).
8. María Corina Machado is known for her unwavering stance on the
importance of free elections and the need for democratic change in Venezuela.
• Source: Stanford FSI (2019).
9. She has been an outspoken critic of the Maduro regime, describing it
as a dictatorship that undermines Venezuela’s democratic institutions.
• Source: NPR (2024).
10. Machado was a prominent speaker at the 2015 Organization of
American States (OAS) meeting, where she advocated for international intervention
to restore democracy in Venezuela.
• Source: Yale World Fellows (n.d.).
11. In 2014, the Venezuelan government revoked Machado’s
parliamentary immunity, accusing her of inciting violence during the protests.
• Source: NPR (2024).
12. María Corina Machado has been exiled from Venezuela since 2015,
after facing persecution by the Maduro regime for her opposition activities.
• Source: Stanford FSI (2019).
13. In 2018, Machado was involved in the formation of the Venezuelan
Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD), an alliance of opposition groups aimed at
overthrowing Maduro.
• Source: Redalyc (n.d.).
14. She advocates for the recognition of the Venezuelan refugee crisis,
one of the largest mass migrations in the world, with millions of Venezuelans fleeing
the country due to the ongoing crisis.
• Source: VENTE Venezuela (2021).
15. María Corina Machado has been described as one of the few
Venezuelan politicians with a clear plan to restore the country’s democratic
institutions.
• Source: Atlantic Council (2024).
16. Machado is an outspoken critic of the economic mismanagement under
both Chávez and Maduro, blaming their policies for the collapse of the Venezuelan
economy.
• Source: Revista Comunicación (2024).
17. She has repeatedly emphasized the need for international sanctions
against Venezuela’s leadership to pressure the government into stepping down.
• Source: NPR (2024).
18. María Corina Machado is often portrayed as a key figure of the
Venezuelan opposition movement, standing as one of the strongest voices for
democracy and human rights in the region.
• Source: Redalyc (n.d.).
19. She was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 for her ongoing
efforts to promote democratic values and human rights in Venezuela.
• Source: Yale World Fellows (n.d.).
20. Despite being exiled, Machado has maintained an active political role,
frequently engaging with the international community to raise awareness of
Venezuela’s situation.
• Source: Stanford FSI (2019).
21. María Corina Machado has been vocal about her support for
Venezuela’s women, advocating for their rights and addressing the gender-based
violence exacerbated by the political crisis.
• Source: VENTE Venezuela (2021).
22. She is known for her strong stance against authoritarianism in Latin
America and has been a critic of other left-wing populist leaders in the region.
• Source: Revista Comunicación (2024).
23. In 2024, she expressed her belief that Nicolás Maduro’s regime is
weaker than ever, a statement reflecting her optimism about Venezuela’s democratic
future.
• Source: NPR (2024).
24. Machado’s platform focuses on the importance of national unity,
emphasizing that Venezuela’s political future depends on reconciliation and
democracy.
• Source: Stanford FSI (2019).
25. María Corina Machado continues to work towards a peaceful transition
in Venezuela, calling for a fair electoral process to allow for the return of democracy
to the country.
• Source: Atlantic Council (2024).
Citations in MLA Format:
1. Machado, María Corina. Defying Autocratic Odds: A Conversation with
María Corina Machado, Leader of Venezuela’s Democratic Movement. Stanford FSI,
2019.
2. “Venezuela’s Opposition Leader Says Maduro is Weaker Than Ever.”
National Public Radio, 28 Nov. 2024,
https://www.npr.org/2024/11/28/g-s1-36149/venezuelas-opposition-leader-says-
maduro-is-weaker-than-ever.
3. “María Corina Machado y la Democracia en Venezuela.” Redalyc, n.d.,
https://www.redalyc.org/pdf/1275/127532358004.pdf.
4. “El Fenómeno Político de María Corina Machado.” Revista
Comunicación, vol. 207-208, 2024, pp. 39-43.
5. Vente Venezuela. ARTE TRIPA MUJER. Vente Venezuela, 2021.
6. Machado, María Corina. “Maria Corina Machado: A Political Leader for
Venezuela’s Democracy.” Yale World Fellows, n.d.,
https://worldfellows.yale.edu/person/maria-corina-machado/.
7. Venezuela at a Turning Point: María Corina Machado on the 2024
Elections. Atlantic Council, 2024, https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/venezuela-at-
a-turning-point-maria-corina-machado-on-2024-elections/.
