The European Parliament has awarded María Corina Machado and Edmundo González for their courageous efforts to restore freedom and democracy in Venezuela, highlighting their commitment to justice, democracy, and the rule of law. The decision was made following a meeting of the presidents of the political groups, with Parliament President Roberta Metsola praising the laureates for their brave fight for a fair, free, and peaceful transition of power in Venezuela. Metsola reaffirmed the Parliament’s commitment to the people of Venezuela and the two prize-winners in their struggle for democracy in the country.
María Corina Machado, considered the leader of Venezuela’s opposition, was initially elected as the presidential candidate in 2023 but was later disqualified by the National Electoral Council. Edmundo González, a former diplomat, replaced her as the Unity Democratic Platform candidate and challenged Nicolás Maduro in the July election. Machado and González denounced the government’s failure to publish official election results and contested Maduro’s victory, which was also questioned by a United Nations panel of experts. González sought asylum in Spain in September, while Machado claims to be in hiding in Venezuela.
The European Parliament condemned the Venezuelan presidential election for failing to meet international standards of electoral integrity. It criticized alleged electoral fraud and human rights violations against the democratic opposition, the Venezuelan people, and civil society. The EU called on Venezuelan authorities to respect the right to peaceful demonstrations, refrain from using excessive force, end repression of the opposition, and release political prisoners. Several high-ranking Venezuelan officials have faced sanctions, but Nicolás Maduro himself has not been sanctioned by the EU.
Machado and González were nominated for the award by the European People’s Party and the European Conservatives and Reformists, with support from the right-wing Patriots for Europe. Other candidates for the award included civil society associations from Israel and Palestine, as well as an Azerbaijani anti-corruption activist. The prize-winners follow previous recipients such as the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement in Iran in 2023 and the political opponents of the Venezuelan government in 2017. The award ceremony is set to take place during the Parliament’s plenary session on 18 December.
Overall, the European Parliament’s recognition of María Corina Machado and Edmundo González highlights their efforts to uphold democracy and freedom in Venezuela against the incumbent president, Nicolás Maduro. The award ceremony in December will serve as a tribute to their bravery and commitment to democratic values, as they continue to fight for a fair and peaceful transition of power in their country. The EU’s stance against electoral fraud and human rights violations in Venezuela sends a strong message of solidarity with the Venezuelan people and support for the two laureates in their struggle for a democratic future.
