WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senate Democratic Whip, met virtually with Nobel Peace Prize recipient, María Corina Machado. Ms. Machado was fairly chosen by voters in the opposition primary to run against Nicolas Maduro in the July 2024 presidential election but was crudely kept off the final ballot by the Maduro regime. Retired Venezuelan diplomat Edmundo González ran as the substitute opposition candidate. Following the July 28 election, Maduro falsely claimed victory, despite refusing to release actual ballot data and meticulously detailed election observer data that showed a clear and overwhelming victory for Mr. González. The Maduro regime refused to peacefully transfer power by the January 2025 inauguration, instead arresting the opposition leaders, which resulted in Mr. González fleeing the country and Ms. Machado going into hiding. Durbin and Shaheen spoke to Machado in May, not long after the Maduro regime refused to peacefully transfer power.
“The Nobel Prize for Peace being awarded to María Corina Machado is well-earned and a clear signal of international support for the democratic movement in Venezuela that has courageously stood against the authoritarian regime of Nicolas Maduro," said Senator Shaheen. "On our third call in recent months, I conveyed my unwavering commitment to the Venezuelan people as they fight for their freedom and as the international community continues to push Maduro to respect the results of Venezuela’s presidential election. As Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I will continue to work on a bipartisan basis to advocate for the restoration of Venezuelan democracy."
“Ms. Machado is a worthy recipient of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize for her steadfast and courageous fight for democracy in a once proud nation that has descended into chaos and dictatorship,” said Senator Durbin. “Following a sham election where Nicolas Maduro again declared victory, she continued to fight for a peaceful democratic transition that reflected the Venezuelan voters’ overwhelming and clear choice. That steadfast courage in the face of such cruelty is incredible and worthy of the Nobel. She is as determined as ever to see a better future for the Venezuelan people. She has my continued great admiration and support on that effort.”
###