Top 10 Facts About Maria Corina Machado's Fight for Freedom

Born in 1967 in Caracas, Machado started as an industrial engineer, founding a tech firm before diving into politic

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Elected to Venezuela's National Assembly in 2011, she quickly became a vocal critic of Hugo Chávez's socialist policies.

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In 2012, she addressed the UN Human Rights Council, slamming Venezuela's slide into authoritarianism.

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Barred from running for president in 2024 by Maduro's regime, she endorsed Edmundo González as her proxy—sparking massive protest

Forced into hiding in 2024 after a 15-year political ban, yet led opposition from the shadows via secret networks.

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Founded Vente Venezuela in 2012, a liberal party pushing free markets and human rights amid economic collapse.

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Won 30% of the primary vote in 2023, proving her as the opposition's iron lady despite regime crackdowns.

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Advocated privatizing PDVSA oil giant to end corruption, drawing US support for sanctions relief.

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Nobel 2025 honors her "tireless work" for peaceful democratic transition, embodying civilian courage.

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