Nobel Peace Prize Winner Machado Says U.S. Helped Her Leave Venezuela

Machado Returns to International Spotlight Amid Heightened U.S. Pressure on Maduro

María Corina Machado emerged once again on the global stage as the Trump administration intensified its campaign of political and economic pressure against President Nicolás Maduro. In a recent interview, Machado disclosed that covert assistance from the United States played a crucial role in facilitating her departure from Venezuela, where she had faced repeated arrests and intimidation.

According to Machado, a small team of U.S. officials coordinated safe passage for her across the border, providing logistical support that allowed her to evade the regime’s security forces. “I owe my freedom to the brave people who risked everything to help me escape,” she said, emphasizing the humanitarian dimension of the aid.

The revelation arrives at a time when Washington is ramping up sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and support for opposition leaders in an effort to pressure Maduro’s government to hold free elections. Critics argue that such involvement could further destabilize the country, while supporters claim it is a necessary step toward restoring democracy.

Machado, a prominent opposition figure and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has long advocated for a peaceful transition of power. Her return to the public eye underscores the growing international focus on Venezuela’s political crisis and the complex role of foreign actors in the nation’s future.