Venezuelan leader-in-exile Maria Corina Machado electrified Washington audiences, announcing her homeland has reached ‘freedom’s doorstep.’ U.S. crackdowns on Maduro, coupled with internal momentum, signal democracy’s imminent arrival, she stated firmly in a press event.
January 3, 2026, etched itself as a historic turning point, the first real stride to democracy, per Machado. Speaking at Heritage Foundation, she described her U.S. visit as miraculous amid past dangers, reveling in the dreamlike freedom denied her people for years—devoid of means, funds, or unbiased news.
Ordinary Venezuelans’ courage fuels the fire, she acclaimed. ‘Even without tools, their resolve crushes tyranny; faith and love prevail supreme.’ Those never tasting democracy sacrificed for human dignity, justice, and affection, including kids facing parental loss, schooling voids, and hunger.
Profuse appreciation went to Trump and America for daring moves rooted in genuine care. A direct assurance from Trump this week stands as her paramount takeaway for the nation.
She laid bare the horrors: political detainees, exiles in droves, malnutrition exploding like never before in a century. Transition fears? Unfounded, Machado countered—Venezuela’s cohesion is unparalleled, sans divisive lines, with 90% yearning to reunite families.
Work-earned respect over pity defines their ethos; women exemplify earning honor independently. A new Venezuela, shorn of tyrants, will ally solidly with the U.S., she predicted, through orderly change into national glory.
Optimism peaked as she pledged: ‘Venezuela’s liberation is assured, courtesy of Americans and President Trump.’