Nicolás Maduro, the socialist leader of Venezuela, recently lashed out at opposition figure María Corina Machado, calling her a “devil witch” after he was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize.
This outburst occurred during a speech marking the “Day of Indigenous Resistance and Decolonization of the Americas,” a holiday originally established by the late Hugo Chávez. It replaces Columbus Day, recognizing the historical struggles of Indigenous peoples in Venezuela.
Maduro directed his words at Machado without naming her. He referenced La Sayona, a legendary figure in Venezuela’s folklore, as he spoke about the “90% of the population [that] rejects demonic witches.” He emphasized a desire for peace—peace that embodies freedom, dignity, and equality, rather than the “peace of empire” or “the peace of death and blood.”
For some time, Maduro and members of his regime have mocked Machado, connecting her to the fabled La Sayona, who is often portrayed as a fair-skinned woman with black hair.
Maduro’s event was notable as it was his first public appearance since the Norwegian Nobel Committee granted Machado the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts advocating for democratic rights in Venezuela.
Machado dedicated the award to the Venezuelan populace and former President Donald Trump, acknowledging his support for the country’s campaign to restore democracy. The decision to honor Machado was well-received among conservatives worldwide, while some leftist factions condemned it.
On the announcement day, Machado expressed a sense of victory, looking to President Trump and global democracies as crucial allies for freedom. She later told CBS News that it was justified to credit Trump for his contributions to peace and democracy in the region.
As the head of Venezuela’s main center-right political party, Vente Venezuela, Machado has been involved in opposition to the socialist regime initiated by Hugo Chávez and carried on by Maduro.
Since the disputed presidential election on July 28, 2024, Machado has been in hiding due to threats of arrest on dubious treason charges by the current government. Many members of her party have faced persecution.
She was a member of parliament until 2014, when the socialist regime expelled her. In 2015, she was prohibited from running for office for a year on questionable grounds, which she has consistently denied. That ban was extended to 15 years in 2023, preventing her from engaging in political activities until 2030.
Despite winning a substantial share of the opposition vote in October 2023, a retroactive ban bars her from opposing Maduro in the upcoming elections. Maduro has urged support for the only approved opposition candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, a former diplomat selected to run against him.
Gonzalez was initially a backup candidate, as there were discussions regarding promises made to the Biden administration about free elections in Venezuela. However, Maduro has failed to uphold his agreements to the U.S.
Throughout 2024, Machado and her party organized numerous events to support their cause, while also securing data about electoral results amid a climate of suppression. Despite being declared the “winner” of the election by the regime, Maduro has not released supporting documentation for his claims.
Following the election, Maduro has launched a harsh campaign against dissenters, which forced Gonzalez into exile, with a significant bounty placed on him. Consequently, Machado remains in hiding, and all opposition election data currently rests with outside authorities.
Celso Amorim, an adviser to Brazil’s leftist president, noted that Maduro had promised to provide proof of his election victory, a promise he did not fulfill, leading to tension and disappointment within diplomatic ties.
