Durbin, Shaheen Host Bipartisan Meeting With Venezuelan Opposition Leader, María Corina Machado

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, hosted Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, María Corina Machado, for a bipartisan meeting with United States Senators. In attendance at today’s meeting along with Durbin and Shaheen were U.S. Senators Rick Scott (R-FL), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), John Curtis (R-UT), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Angus King (I-VT), and Chris Coons (D-DE).
“María Corina Machado is an extraordinary person who is completely deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize after having risked her life to bring about change to the Venezuelan government and people,”said Durbin.“Today, we asked her practical questions about how she sees her homeland now since Maduro has been removed and Delcy Rodríguez appears to be the de-facto interim leader. Ms. Machado is as determined as ever to see a better future for the Venezuelan people. She and President-elect Edmundo González have my continued great admiration and support.”
“I appreciated the chance to meet with María Corina Machado today and to hear directly from her about how she views this moment for Venezuela, after years of Maduro’s repression and brutality,”said Shaheen.“Maria Corina has spent years courageously pushing for political change under extraordinary pressure. Removing a dictator is not the same as restoring democracy, and any transition that leaves entrenched institutions and criminal networks intact risks prolonging violence and instability. On a bipartisan basis, the United States has long supported a democratic transition in Venezuela. With Maduro removed, we must continue to ensure that Venezuela does not simply transition from one authoritarian to another.”
Scott said,“María Corina is a hero to the Latin American people and a true champion for freedom and democracy in Venezuela. Her peaceful leadership and unwavering courage have become a beacon of hope for millions of Venezuelans who have stood up against Nicolás Maduro’s brutal dictatorship and demanded change. It was a blessing to speak with her today as she continues to inspire the world with her determination to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy. A Latin America free of socialist and communist rule is in the best interest of the United States, and that’s why for years, I have fought alongside the people of Venezuela to restore their God-given freedom and liberty. I also want to thank President Trump, Secretary Rubio, and Secretary Hegseth, for fighting for the Venezuelan people. I am proud to stand with María and the brave people of Venezuela in their fight for freedom, and I will continue working alongside them to hold every person tied to the illegitimate Maduro regime accountable.”
“María Corina Machado is an inspiring leader who has risked her own life and freedom in the fight for democracy for the Venezuelan people,”said Rosen.“It’s clear that she remains committed to making sure the voice of the Venezuelan people is heard and respected. The people of Venezuela deserve to decide their own future, rather than trading undemocratic rule under the Maduro regime for years of rule by Maduro’s handpicked successor, or by the United States, as Donald Trump has proposed.”
“Operation Absolute Resolve was a resounding success. Now, we must turn our attention to securing peace and prosperity in the Western Hemisphere by supporting the stabilization of Venezuela. The path forward is clear—María Corina Machado has laid the groundwork for a democratic transition that upholds liberty and self-governance for the Venezuelan people,”said Curtis.
“At today’s meeting with María Corina Machado, I expressed to her that while I was not supportive of the way that the Trump Administration deposed of Maduro, I am committed to helping Venezuela achieve a transition to democracy. A democratic Venezuela is beneficial to both countries. The Trump Administration needs to give Congress real answers as to how they will achieve that transition instead of propping up Maduro’s successor,”said Gallego.
“María Corina Machado is a fearless leader who has fought to end the horrific abuses carried out by the Maduro regime,”said Kaine.“Machado and President-elect Edmundo González deserve our full support, and the Venezuelan people deserve better from the United States than a President who refers to the new leader of Maduro’s horrific regime as a ‘terrific person.’ My colleagues and I will continue working to ensure the United States does not turn its back on Machado and the promise of democracy and human rights in Venezuela. I’m grateful for the productive meeting today about how we can advance these goals together.”
“María Corina Machado’s relentless struggle against brutal authoritarianism is inspiring. Ensuring a peaceful transition to democracy will require great courage and perseverance—qualities that María Corina has shown over many years. It is our job, Democrats and Republicans alike, to support her and the Venezuelan people as they navigate this long and difficult road,”said Welch.
“María Corina Machado’s courage in standing up for democracy and human rights for the Venezuelan people inspires us all. Her fight for freedom and justice echoes beyond Venezuela’s borders, and we are honored to stand with her in pursuit of a peaceful, democratic future for the people of Venezuela,”said Padilla.
Photos of today’s meeting are availablehere.
In October, Durbin, Scott, Shaheen, Cruz, and Gallego introduced aresolutionhonoring Ms. Machado.
In 2023, Ms. Machado was fairly chosen by voters in the opposition primary to run against Nicolas Maduro in the July 2024 presidential election, but was arbitrarily kept off the final ballot by the Maduro regime. Retired Venezuelan diplomat Edmundo González ran as the substitute opposition candidate. Following the July 2024 election, Maduro falsely claimed victory, despite refusing to release actual ballot data and meticulously detailed election observer data that showed a clear and overwhelming victory for Mr. González. The Maduro regime refused to peacefully transfer power by the January 2025 inauguration, instead arresting the opposition leaders, which resulted in Mr. González fleeing the country and Ms. Machado going into hiding.
-30-