The Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Maria Corina Machadoassured that “soon” he will return to Venezuela to carry out the definitive phase of the democratic strugglein a Christmas message addressed to citizens, in which he took stock of the progress made in 2025 and explained the reasons for his temporary departure from the country.
Machado, who remained more than 16 months in hiding within Venezuelaconfirmed that his departure abroad responded to the need to represent Venezuelans in Oslowhere he received the Nobel Peace Prizean award that he described as “humanity’s highest recognition of the exemplary struggle of the Venezuelan people.”
“It was not an easy decision,” he stated, explaining that his stay outside the country is due to a permanent strategic evaluation. “Every day I ask myself where I am most useful to our cause,” he said, emphasizing that his presence abroad is temporary and strictly oriented to accelerate the process of political change.
In his message, Machado emphasized that international recognition confirms that The Venezuelan democratic cause is not alone and that the world supports the efforts of millions of citizens who, despite persecution and fear, have kept alive the hope of peaceful change.
“Soon, very soon, I will be back in Venezuela to carry out with each of you the definitive phase of our fight,” he expressed, while announcing that in the coming days they will announce new steps necessary to achieve victorythe details of which he did not reveal for reasons of safety and effectiveness.
A “new rebirth”
The opposition leader dedicated a central part of her speech to the victims of the Venezuelan crisiswith special mention to political prisoners, those suffering from hunger and families fractured by forced migration. He remembered the reunion with his children and his mother during his stay in Oslo, a hug that — he said — gave him “immense strength,” the same one he wants to transmit to Venezuelan homes marked by absence and separation.
Machado described the process of change in Venezuela as “unstoppable and irreversible”and assured that the democratic transition will be “orderly, fair and transparent”, with guarantees for all citizens and respect for the rule of law.
Closing his Christmas message, he maintained that the force of love and truth has defeated liesand stated that the country is preparing for a “new rebirth,” driven by a generation that he described as “brave and strong,” determined to rebuild Venezuela.
