Who is María Corina Machado? All About the Fierce Advocate Behind Venezuela’s Opposition

Maria Corina Machado

For more than 20 years, Venezuelans have lived under an authoritarian regime pushing millions of them to flee. Once a rich country known for its natural oil production and rich resources, the Caribbean nation has been left destitute. After the death of their first authoritarian leader, Hugo Chavez, in 2013, Nicolás Maduro led Venezuela into the worst economic crisis the country has seen in its history.

Throughout the decades, Venezuelans have left the country hoping to find a better future as its resources are depleted. Many of its citizens live without water, food and electricity. Under Maduro, the regime faces charges in the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity and has been known for drug trafficking and terrorism.

Now, the country is fighting for freedom, with a woman at the forefront of the cause. María Corina Machado is at the center of the greatest opposition against the current regime the country has ever seen. Last Sunday, the presidential candidate called on millions of Venezuelans to vote for freedom once and for all. Despite Maduro claiming he won the election, Machado continues the fight. Here’s what we know about her.

María Corina Machado is fighting for Venezuela’s freedom since the early 2000s

Born in Caracas, Venezuela, on October 7, 1967, Machado was interested in public affairs from an early age. She earned a degree in industrial engineering from Andrés Bello Catholic University and a master’s degree in finance from Instituto de Estudios Superiores de Administración. Her academic credentials provided a solid foundation for her future political endeavors.

Machado’s strong passion for social causes can be seen even in her early work. In 1992, she founded the Atanea Foundation, which cares for orphaned children and delinquents living on the streets of Caracas.

However, Machado’s political career began in earnest in the early 2000s. In 2001, she co-founded Súmate, a civil volunteer organization defending electoral transparency. Also, in 2004, she opposed Chavez again while facing treason. She is a former member of the National Assembly and a key figure in the opposition party Vente Venezuela. She consistently advocated for a change in Venezuela’s governance throughout her career. Her leadership style is characterized by a passionate rhetoric that resonates with a broad spectrum of Venezuelans’ disillusionment with the current regime.

In January, Venezuela’s top court banned Machado from holding public office

This election is not the first time Machado has attempted to take the presidency. In 2012, she was unsuccessful in her campaign, losing to Henrique Capriles. Then, she resurfaced in 2014 as a strong figure in organizing demonstrations against Maduro. That year, she was also kicked out of the National Assembly after she spoke at the Organization of American States to speak of Venezuela’s regime.

While she shared her interest in participating in this year’s elections, the 56-year-old was banned from holding office by Venezuela’s top court. According to Reuters, the decision came after growing tensions between Maduro’s regime and the political opposition. Still, Machado didn’t let the ban keep her from victory. Instead, she focused on finding a campaign replacement and chose former ambassador Edmundo Gonzalez to take her place.

Venezuela had the highest electoral participation in its history, led by Machado

After July 28, one thing is clear—Venezuelans want change NOW. The country had the highest electoral participation in its history as millions—inside and outside the country—voted to end the Maduro regime. After hours of citizens reporting irregularities at voting centers, which included theft of electoral material and false ballots in favor of Maduro, the authoritarian leader claimed he was still president. The regime went on national television stating it won 51% against Gonazlez with 44%.

Not taking the defeat, Machado assured Venezuelans that 70% favored the opposition.

“We won in every demographic, in every state,” she said. “It was overwhelming. We won, and the whole world knows this. Even the regime knows what happened.” Now, the country grieves the results, taking to the streets against the current political climate.

Can true change come to Venezuela after these elections?