Nobel Prize Winner María Corina Machado Calls Venezuela "Chaos" Under Current Regime

Venezuela's Nobel Prize Winner Machado Says Country is in 'Chaos' Under Current Regime CARACAS, VENEZUELA - October 11, 2025 María Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner, has described her country as being in a state of "chaos" under the current regime. In an interview with NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday, Machado called for the removal of President Nicolás Maduro, labeling him an illegitimate strongman who had seized power through rigged elections. Machado, who is currently in hiding within Venezuela's borders, stated that the Venezuelan people had already mandated regime change on July 28, 2024, citing last year's highly contested and closely watched election. "I want to be very clear with this: Regime change was already mandated by the Venezuelan people on July 28, 2024," Machado said during the interview. The opposition leader also criticized Maduro's administration for its handling of the country's economic and humanitarian crisis. "Venezuela is in chaos, and it's not just because of the economic situation, but also because of the lack of freedom, the lack of democracy, and the lack of respect for human rights," Machado said. Background on the Venezuelan crisis shows that Maduro has been in power since 2013, despite widespread allegations of election irregularities. The opposition had called for a boycott of last year's presidential election, which saw Maduro secure a third term as president. In response to Machado's comments, the Venezuelan government issued a statement denying any wrongdoing and accusing the opposition leader of being part of a "coup" against the legitimate government. "The Venezuelan people have expressed their support for President Maduro through free and fair elections," the statement read. However, not all Venezuelans agree with Machado's assessment of the situation. Some analysts argue that the country is experiencing a complex humanitarian crisis, but also point out that the opposition has been unable to present a unified front against the government. "The Venezuelan opposition has been divided for years, and it's unclear what kind of alternative they would propose," said Dr. Ana María Fernández, a Caracas-based analyst. As the situation in Venezuela continues to unfold, Machado remains committed to her cause. In an interview with NPR, she emphasized that she will continue to advocate for regime change and the restoration of democracy in Venezuela. "We will not give up until we achieve our goal of a free and democratic Venezuela," Machado said. The current status of the situation in Venezuela is marked by ongoing protests and demonstrations against the government, as well as efforts by international organizations to provide humanitarian aid to affected communities. As for next developments, it remains unclear what steps the Venezuelan opposition will take next, but one thing is certain: the country's future hangs in the balance. Attribution: María Corina Machado, Nobel Peace Prize winner and Venezuelan opposition leader NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday Dr. Ana María Fernández, Caracas-based analyst *Reporting by Npr.*