The Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado stated that the regime that has ruled Venezuela for years has already been politically defeated by the citizens, although she acknowledged that there is still the crucial step of permanently removing it from power.
"We have already defeated them; what we need to do now is to displace them," declared Machado at a press conference in Santiago de Chile during his visit to the South American country, according to the opposition party Vente Venezuela.
The leader stated that the struggle of the Venezuelan people remains steadfast in defense of freedom, democracy, and respect for the popular sovereignty expressed at the polls.
"There is much more to achieve; there will only be peace in Venezuela with freedom, and freedom with democracy. The popular sovereignty expressed through the vote is sacred," he stated.
Machado emphasized that the goal of the opposition is to build a fully democratic nation and that political transition will only be possible with the active support of the citizenry.
"Today, Venezuela is united to achieve respect for the popular sovereignty expressed in the vote because only then can we have a nation to which our children can return," he stated.
The mandate of October 22 and the electoral victory
The opposition leader recalled the political mandate that she claimed to have received from the Venezuelans on October 22, 2023, when she won the opposition primaries by a wide margin.
From that moment on, he explained, he took on the commitment to lead a political strategy aimed at restoring democracy in the country.
He also sent a message to the elected president Edmundo González Urrutia, thanking him for his role in the fight for freedom and for the consolidation of the democratic movement.
Machado also recalled what he described as a "historical feat" in the 2024 elections, in which the opposing forces achieved a victory with over 70% of the votes.
"We wouldn't be here if it weren't for the people. For the love we have for our children and for our land. We have placed the value of freedom above the value of life. That's why we will not settle," he stated.
Justice without revenge
During his speech, Machado also addressed the issue of the re-institutionalization of the country and noted that justice will be one of the fundamental pillars in the period following the political transition.
He acknowledged that Venezuela faces deep social and political wounds that must be addressed in the process of national reconstruction.
"There are many wounds to heal, but we must assure an entire nation that there will be justice," he explained.
At the same time, he clarified that the pursuit of justice should not be confused with retaliation.
"It is not revenge, it is not persecution, we are different. But there must be justice," he stated.
Accusations against Delcy Rodríguez
Machado also launched harsh criticisms against Delcy Rodríguez, whom she pointed out as a key figure within the power structure that sustains chavismo.
According to the opposition leader, Rodríguez is a central figure in what she described as a repressive and criminal structure that has operated within the Venezuelan state.
"It has been the link with Hezbollah, it has been -as vice president- the head that led the entire structure of repression in the country. She is directly responsible," she stated.
In that context, he stated that the strategy promoted by the United States includes several phases aimed at dismantling those networks within the Venezuelan state apparatus.
The return of the Venezuelans
The leader also referred to the future of the millions of Venezuelans who have emigrated in recent years.
Machado assured that many wish to return to their country, but warned that such a return will only be possible when a real political change is achieved.
"Venezuelans will not return as long as the criminals who forced them to flee are still there," he stated.
In their opinion, the reconstruction of the country will largely depend on the return of those who currently live abroad.
"The faster the transition progresses, the sooner Venezuelans will return to their country," he stated.
The opposition leader also urged countries in the region to support Venezuelan migrants and contribute to creating conditions for their eventual return.
Venezuela will be free
Machado stated that, despite the difficulties, Venezuela has managed to reorganize itself as a society and keeps alive the aspiration to regain democracy.
He stated that the country has enormous resources and potential to rebuild itself once the current political cycle ends.
"Venezuela will be free, and the Venezuelans who have been forced to leave their country will return to their homeland to transform it into a great nation," he stated.
The leader also reminded that currently 505 people remain detained for political reasons within Venezuela.
"While we speak, there are still 505 political prisoners in Venezuela, men and women who are being tortured, persecuted, and taken away from their families for thinking differently and defending their rights," he stated.
Machado also expressed his intention to return to Venezuela to continue supporting citizens in their political struggle.
"This cannot be stopped by anyone. My return to Venezuela will be harmonious and coordinated with allies," he remarked.
A political landscape marked by changes
Machado's statements come at a particularly complicated time for Venezuelan politics and the international scene surrounding the country.
This week, the Government of the United States officially notified the U.S. judiciary of its recognition of Delcy Rodríguez as the authority of Venezuela, within the context of a legal proceeding related to the country.
The information was reported by Bloomberg, which noted that the acknowledgment was formally communicated in a court setting, which could have implications for litigation, legal representation, and asset disputes related to the Venezuelan state.
The communication was sent by Michael Kozak, the State Department's official for Latin America, to prosecutor Jay Clayton, to inform the court that the United States recognizes Rodríguez as the sole head of state capable of acting on behalf of Venezuela.
The letter also reiterated that the United States does not recognize Nicolás Maduro as the head of state since January 23, 2019, a stance that, according to the document, remains in effect.
The recognition is part of a series of political movements that have marked a shift in the relationship between Washington and Caracas.
At the beginning of March, both countries agreed to restore diplomatic relations after years of institutional breakdown.
Shortly thereafter, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly announced recognition of the government led by Rodríguez during the regional summit "Shield of the Americas," held in Miami.
In that meeting, the president also revealed an energy agreement that will allow U.S. companies to participate in the extraction and marketing of Venezuelan minerals.
Trump also praised Rodríguez's role in bilateral cooperation.
Delcy Rodríguez, who is the President of Venezuela, is doing a great job and working very well with the representatives of the United States," wrote the leader on his social media platform Truth Social.
The rapprochement between Washington and Caracas began after the capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026, during an operation supported by the United States, an event that transformed the Venezuelan political landscape.
After that episode, Rodríguez took on the role of acting president and began a process of diplomatic and economic outreach with the U.S. administration.
In the following weeks, conversations between both governments intensified, particularly in the energy sector, which is considered strategic for both Venezuela's economic recovery and for the interests of the United States.
U.S. officials visited Caracas to explore agreements in areas such as oil, gas, and mining, as a political transition period began following the decline of Maduro's leadership.
On March 8, Rodríguez celebrated advancements in energy cooperation during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, in which he described the discussions as a “productive workday.”
This process reflects the deep change in the relationship between the two countries following years of political confrontation.
Filed under: