MIAMI, United States. – The European Parliament awarded the Sakharov Prize this Tuesday to the Venezuelan opposition leaders María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia, in an act which highlighted the determination of both in the defense of democracy and human rights in Venezuela.
This award, the bloc’s highest recognition in terms of fundamental rights, had the majority support of the political groups of the European Parliament.
Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, opened the ceremony highlighting Machado and González Urrutia as “defenders of freedom of conscience.” In his words, “Parliament is with the people of Venezuela, and with María Corina and Edmundo. This award is for you, in recognition of your efforts to restore democracy in Venezuela, risking everything,” he told the two opponents.
Metsola stressed support “for those who fight for justice” and strongly condemned the repressive practices of the regime. Nicolas Maduroas well as arrest warrants and imprisonment of political prisoners. “Maduro’s iron fist cannot crush the illusion of Venezuelans,” he said.
Edmundo González Urrutia was present at the delivery, who thanked the European Parliament for the distinction. “It is a recognition of the people of Venezuela, those who fight to restore democracy,” he stated. He described his country as being subjected by a government that ignores the popular will and violates human rights. Likewise, he warned that “sooner rather than later” the nation will return to the path dictated by its citizens, remembering that the fight for freedom has always faced great obstacles.
María Corina Machado, in a video connection, thanked the Sakharov Prize as an honor to the “brave Venezuelan people” and pointed out that, despite more than two decades of actions by the regime against democratic institutions and the population, a “redemption movement to unite and liberate the people.”
In September 2024, the European Parliament recognized González Urrutia as the “legitimate president” of Venezuela and María Corina Machado as leader of the democratic forces of Venezuela. In a resolution adopted on September 19, MEPs noted that the Venezuelan presidential elections did not meet international standards of electoral integrity and condemned “electoral fraud” as well as systematic human rights violations against the opposition, the Venezuelan people and the civil society.
The European Parliament also urged the European Union to extend sanctions against the Venezuelan regime and expand them, including specific measures against Nicolás Maduro and his closest circle. Likewise, he criticized the decision to unconstitutionally prevent the participation of opposition figures, such as María Corina Machado, in the July elections.
The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Conscience, created in 1988 and named in honor of the Soviet physicist and dissident Andrei Sakharov, is the highest award granted by the European Union in the field of human rights. It recognizes the work of individuals or organizations in the defense of fundamental rights, democracy and the rule of law.
