3 months ago

María Corina Machado is a prominent Venezuelan opposition leader, industrial engineer, and advocate for democracy and transparency.

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🛠️ Background & Career

Born in Caracas on October 7, 1967, Machado holds a degree in industrial engineering from Andrés Bello Catholic University and a master’s in finance from IESA. She also attended Yale University’s World Fellows Program in 2009 .

Began in politics in 2002 by co-founding Súmate, an influential vote-monitoring group .

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🧭 Political Leadership

Served in Venezuela’s National Assembly from 2011 until her expulsion in 2014 for speaking out against Hugo Chávez’s policies .

Founded the center-right party Vente Venezuela in 2012 and remains its national coordinator .

Won the 2023 opposition primary with over 92 % support, despite being barred from running in the presidential race by Maduro-aligning authorities .

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🗳️ Electoral Role & Achievements

Though banned, she mobilized mass election-monitoring during July 2024 elections, digitally scanning and reporting ballots to strengthen the democratic process .

Championed Edmundo González Urrutia as the opposition’s presidential candidate, playing a central campaign role .

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🎖️ Recognition & Persecution

A leading voice against Maduro’s authoritarian regime—often dubbed Venezuela’s “Iron Lady”—confronting former President Chávez directly .

Suffered political bans (including a 15-year restriction in 2023), travel bans, threats, and expulsion from parliament .

Received international praise and awarded several prestigious honors in 2024:

Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought

Václav Havel Human Rights Prize

Named by BBC as one of the 100 most influential women, and included in TIME’s 2025 “100 Most Influential People” list .

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🎯 Values & Vision

Advocates for free-market economics, privatization of state industries like PDVSA, minimal government, and strong anti-corruption measures .

Socially progressive: supportive of same-sex marriage, limited abortion access, and medical marijuana debates .

Central platform: restore democracy, ensure transparency, heal national trauma from mass migration, and reunify Venezuelan families .

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💡 Why She Matters

María Corina Machado is a rallying symbol for democratic resistance in Venezuela. She’s known for courageously exposing institutional abuses, organizing grassroots election oversight, and uniting a fragmented opposition under her leadership—all while facing legal persecution, threats, and political bans.

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In short, Machado is a leading opposition figure and symbol of Venezuela’s fight for democracy, blending bold advocacy with organizational grassroots action and earning international recognition—even as Maduro’s regime actively suppresses her influence and aspiration to govern.

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