The opposition leader María Corina Machado addressed a message to Venezuelans and, in particular, to those who still follow orders from the government of Nicolas Madurowhom he called to “put down their weapons” and stop attacks against the people.
In an audio broadcast on his
He denounced that the entire country lives under kidnapping. “He holds our heroes hostage, the political prisoners, and an entire kidnapped country”he stated. He added that the government “has separated us from our families, suffocated us, intentionally starved our people.”
The leader also appealed directly to the security and military bodies that support Chavismo. As he said, “deep down, the worst hostages are those who are forced to carry out this barbarity, those who obey infamous orders, ruining the lives of their own brothers.” He noted that many of them “feel guilty, they cannot look at their children or their mothers in the eyes.”
“Is this what they want for their own people?”
Machado asked to hear the testimony of the daughter of Lewis Mendoza, a citizen—as he said—”kidnapped by the regime in the state of Trujillo,” in which, between cries of pain, he claimed that his childhood was “ruined.”
He asked the officials a direct question: “Is this what they want for their own people? Sleep in peace after committing this cruelty? “Is this the future you want for your children, for your families, for your country?”
The leader maintained that “the cry of this girl is the cry of all of Venezuela, of your own children” and warned that those who continue to support the repression will bear the consequences: “Be very clear, those cries of pain will never leave you. They will echo in your head every night if you don’t act now.”
Machado called on the security forces to change their position towards the country: “Put down your weapons, don’t attack your peoplemake today the decision to accompany the freedom of Venezuela when the precise time arrives.” He stated that this moment is imminent: “What is decisive is imminent. The position that each one takes will mark their life forever.”
He warned that “history, the law and the Venezuelan people will be their judges” and asked them to accompany the country when change comes: “When the time comes, go out and embrace the people, your people”.
Finally, he urged officials to choose between being part of the transition or being identified with the repression: “Be a hero and not a criminal. Be a pride and not a shame for your family. “Be part of the bright future of Venezuela and not of the ruin that tyranny destroyed.”
Machado closed his message by stating that the country is on the verge of a new scenario: “This day that is approaching, join us, Venezuela and your brothers. We are waiting for you.”
The statements of Machado They occur in a scenario of increasing pressure for the Maduro government, due to the escalation of the offensive launched in September by the United States in the Caribbean with the activation of Operation Lanza del Sur, with which they hope to combat drug trafficking organizations that, according to Washington, operate from Venezuela.
