The possibility of a negotiated solution to the political crisis in Venezuela has become a central theme in the public debate, especially given the growing pressure on the Nicolás Maduro regime.
From the perspective of Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado, the outcome of any negotiation process will be conditioned by the balance of power and the recognition of the popular will expressed at the polls on July 28, 2024.
“You know very well that the terms of a negotiation depend on the starting point, how we got there and obviously on the relative forces at the time that negotiation begins”, underlining that the specific details of any agreement can only be defined once the initial conditions are established.
Machado emphasized that any political transition arising from a negotiation process must be based on democratic legitimacy and respect for current legality.
“What I can guarantee to Venezuelans is that if a transition occurs as a result of negotiations, it will be based on the recognition of popular sovereignty as expressed on July 28th and, obviously, on respect for the Venezuelan Constitution.”. This statement reinforces the idea that the foundation of any agreement must be the will of the people and the constitutional framework.
The opposition leader also addressed the need to offer incentives to those within the regime who are willing to facilitate a transition.
“Obviously, we are building and have expressed the terms of respect for justice and incentives so that those who want to collaborate from different components of the regime have the incentive to do so as soon as possible.” In this way, Machado suggests that internal collaboration is a key factor in accelerating the process of change.
According to Machado's view, the passage of time works against the Maduro regime and strengthens the opposition's position.
“The longer they take, the more the regime’s position deteriorates with each passing day; time is against Nicolás Maduro and the regime and in favor of the Venezuelan people’s position”, highlighting the regime’s progressive decline.
Machado was categorical in stating that Maduro's departure is inevitable, with or without an agreement.
“And I repeat, Maduro will leave one way or another, with or without negotiations.”
Machado has long been the face of resistance against the Venezuelan regime for 26 years. Now, she is also a Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader who spurred millions of Venezuelans to reject dictator Nicolás Maduro in last year's elections, appeared in public on Thursday for the first time in 11 months after arriving in Norway, where her daughter accepted the award on her behalf the day before.
Machado had been in hiding since January 9, when she was briefly detained after joining supporters during an anti-government protest in Venezuela's capital, Caracas.
Her Nobel Peace Prize for her struggle to achieve a democratic transition in her South American nation was announced on October 10. Hours after waving from a hotel balcony to a cheering crowd outside on Thursday, Machado told reporters that she would continue the fight for democracy in her homeland and promised to return to her country soon.
