Machado Determined to Return to Venezuela Despite Risks
WASHINGTON — María Colina Machado has expressed her intention to return to Venezuela soon, fully aware of the hazards that opposition leaders encounter upon their return.
“I need to be there,” she shared in an exclusive interview. “I want to go back as soon as possible.”
Her goal is to contribute to the restoration of democracy in Venezuela, which she believes could parallel a historic shift akin to the fall of the Berlin Wall by the end of President Trump’s term in 2029.
“The legacy will be enormous,” Machado forecasts. “Venezuela and the region will prosper. In historical terms, this will resonate for the Americas just as the Berlin Wall’s fall did for Europe.”
She emphasized that for the first time, the Americas could potentially be free from communism, dictatorship, and narco-terrorism.
Machado asserts that trusting Venezuelans to self-govern is the swiftest route to achieving that vision, suggesting that a fractured economy could recover within three years.
Speaking exclusively to the Post on a Friday, Machado reflected on the circumstances following President Trump’s recent order for the arrest of Nicolás Maduro on January 3. Opposition leaders contend that this significant event signals the end of a devastating regime that has held power in Venezuela for nearly three decades through various forms of malfeasance.
“This is the gateway to freedom,” Machado declared. “What President Trump did was historic. It isn’t just about Venezuela; it’s about dismantling a criminal structure threatening the entire Western Hemisphere.”
Machado is committed to guiding the country through its transition, starting with meetings in Washington, but she remains eager to return home.
Having spent 16 months in isolation in Venezuela before escaping in December, she knows well the dangers her return may entail. Still, she insists that Maduro’s top officials cannot fulfill the aspirations of the Venezuelan populace.
She noted that the president likely maintains Maduro in power as long as compliance with U.S. requests continues, such as allowing oil trade, which Maduro’s deputy, Delcy Rodriguez, described as “great.”
“It’s worth every risk.”
Since going underground in her homeland, Machado has been isolated from family and friends, restricted in her movements due to the ongoing regime persecution of opposition leaders.
She lamented that repression has not lessened since Maduro’s arrest but has merely evolved. “Rodriguez now rules through fear,” she said. “Terrorism is the only thing that keeps the regime alive.”
Machado noted a surge in student protests across Venezuela, an action she deemed unprecedented prior to the U.S. intervention. These protests, characterized by blocked highways and calls for the release of political prisoners, signify hope, albeit within dangerous circumstances.
“For those yearning for freedom, it’s not safe here,” she remarked. “But freedom is not just a word.”
The stark reality of current conditions stands in contrast to Venezuela’s once-wealthy status, now reduced to poverty levels worse than Haiti’s.
While Venezuela possesses the largest proven oil reserves globally, 86% of its population lives in poverty, with teachers earning barely $1 a day.
Extreme poverty, coupled with the regime’s brutality and rampant crime, has resulted in nearly nine million Venezuelans fleeing, approximating a third of the population. “Mothers yearn to reunite with their children,” she said. “Grandparents don’t want to die before meeting their grandchildren.”
Machado asserted that socialism has devastated not only the economy but has also fractured families and turned the country into a nexus for drug trafficking and foreign adversary influence. “Venezuela has been invaded,” she emphasized, referring to its strong ties with Cuba, Iran, Russia, and China.
Why Democracy Matters — President Trump’s Legacy
She believes that a successful democratic transition in Venezuela could lead many displaced individuals to return to their homeland. “Unlike other diasporas, Venezuelans want to go back,” she pointed out. “Millions will return once they see a future of security and freedom.”
However, Machado warned that without a full democratic transition, gains made during Trump’s administration could easily be lost after he leaves office.
“If Delcy Rodriguez remains in power, nothing really changes,” she stated. “There will be no rule of law, no trust, no stability. Venezuelans will not come back under such conditions.”
Nevertheless, she maintains that with a legitimate government, Venezuela could experience rapid change—potentially producing millions of barrels of oil daily and drawing significant U.S. investment.
This transformation, she argues, could solidify what she refers to as President Trump’s “Donroe Doctrine.”
“I believe this is all achievable within three years,” she added, highlighting the importance of assertive leadership.
Machado forecasts that a liberated Venezuela could catalyze democratic movements in Cuba and Nicaragua, eradicating communist dictatorships and narco-states in the hemisphere.
“Trust the Venezuelan People”
In a meeting at the White House where she honored President Trump with the Nobel Peace Prize, Machado relayed a crucial message: “Trust the Venezuelan people.”
“We share fundamental values,” she said. “Family. Faith. Hard work. We want to build, not flee.”
This trust, she believes, motivates courage among Venezuelans on the streets.
“What’s happening now wouldn’t have been possible before January 3,” she pointed out, citing the increase in civil disobedience and student-led strikes. “People recognize they are not alone.”
“I need to be there. This isn’t just political; it’s spiritual,” she insisted. “Venezuela will be free, and this moment will resonate through history for generations.”
