The return of opposition leader María Corina Machado to her country is a powerful moment for Venezuela’s democratic movement and a renewed call for a genuine transition to democracy, ECR MEP Carlo Fidanza, Head of the Fratelli d’Italia delegation in the European Parliament and Vice-Chair of the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly (EUROLAT), said today.
Machado, winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize and of the 2024 European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize, returned to Venezuela after months in exile, where she was welcomed by supporters.
Fidanza said:
“The return to Venezuela of the leader of the democratic opposition, María Corina Machado, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and of the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize, is wonderful news. Seeing this extraordinary woman overwhelmed by the embrace of her people after a long exile fills the heart with joy and hope.”
He continued:
“She will have to watch her back every second, but she will continue to fight for the freedom of her people. And sooner or later she will win, as always happens when people never stop believing.”
Fidanza concluded:
“From today, the path towards a fully democratic Venezuela resumes in earnest. We hope this can soon lead to the release of all political prisoners still arbitrarily detained by the regime and to a free and transparent electoral process.”
