30 Facts About Maria Corina Machado

Early Life and Education

Maria Corina Machado's journey began in Caracas, Venezuela, where she was born into a family with a rich cultural heritage.

1. Birth and Early Life: Born on October 7, 1967, in Caracas, Venezuela, Maria Corina Machado is the oldest of four sisters. Her father, Henrique Machado Zuloaga, was a prominent steel businessman, and her mother, Corina Parisca, was a psychologist.

2. Education: Machado holds a degree in industrial engineering from Andrés Bello Catholic University and a master's degree in finance from Instituto de Estudios Superiores de Administración (IESA) in Caracas.

Political Career

Machado's political career has been marked by her dedication to democracy and transparency in Venezuela.

3. Career in Politics: Machado entered politics in 2002 as the founder and leader of the vote-monitoring group Súmate, alongside Alejandro Plaz. This initiative aimed to promote transparency and fairness in Venezuelan elections.

4. National Assembly Member: In February 2010, Machado resigned from Súmate and announced her candidacy for the National Assembly of Venezuela. She represented Miranda for the Chacao, Baruta, El Hatillo, and the Parroquia Leoncio Martínez de Sucre municipalities.

5. Election Victory: Machado won the primary election in April 2010 and went on to become a member of the National Assembly. She was elected with the highest number of votes among all candidates for that electoral contest (2010-2015).

Leadership and Advocacy

Machado has been a vocal critic of the Nicolás Maduro regime and a strong advocate for human rights.

6. Leadership in Opposition: Machado is one of the main opposition leaders in Venezuela. She has been a vocal critic of the Nicolás Maduro regime, denouncing institutional abuses, repression, and the humanitarian crisis in the country.

7. International Recognition: In 2018, Machado was listed as one of BBC's 100 Women, recognizing her unique voice in Venezuela's traditionally male-dominated political landscape.

8. Human Rights Advocacy: Machado has been a strong advocate for human rights in Venezuela. In March 2014, she spoke in the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States to denounce the violations of the Maduro regime to human rights in Venezuela. This speech led to her arbitrary expulsion from her position as an elected member of the National Assembly by the President of the National Assembly, Diosdado Cabello.

Presidential Ambitions

Machado's aspirations for the presidency have been a significant part of her political journey.

9. Presidential Candidacy: Machado was a presidential candidate in the 2012 Venezuelan presidential election but lost the opposition primary to Henrique Capriles.

10. SoyVenezuela Platform: Since 2017, Machado is a founding member of the SoyVenezuela platform, an alliance of large sectors of the country committed to the rescue of the Republic and democracy in Venezuela. This platform is accompanied by an extensive National Council and includes prominent figures like Antonio Ledezma and Diego Arria.

11. Vente Venezuela Party: Machado is the National Coordinator of Vente Venezuela, a liberal political organization founded in 2013. She is a founding member of this party, which aims to promote freedom and democracy in Venezuela.

Personal Life and Background

Despite her political career, Machado's personal life and background have also shaped her journey.

12. Family Life: Machado is a mother of three children. Her personal life has been subject to scrutiny, particularly given the risks and challenges associated with her political activism.

13. Yale World Fellows Program: In 2009, Machado participated in the Yale University's World Fellows Program, which further enhanced her leadership skills and international networking.

14. Radio Broadcasting Career: Between 2014 and 2021, Machado worked as a broadcaster on the radio station Radio Caracas Radio. She hosted a talk show and political analysis program called Contigo: Con María Corina Machado, broadcast on Tuesdays from 1 to 2 pm.

Challenges and Controversies

Machado has faced numerous challenges and controversies throughout her career.

15. Disqualification from Office: On June 30, 2023, Machado was disqualified from holding office for 15 years by the Venezuelan government due to her leadership in anti-government protests. This disqualification was confirmed by the Supreme Court of Justice of Venezuela in January 2024.

16. 2024 Presidential Elections: Despite her disqualification, Machado was declared the opposition candidate for the 2024 presidential elections. However, she was replaced by Corina Yoris on March 22, 2024, due to Yoris being prevented from registering as a candidate. Yoris was temporarily replaced by Edmundo González Urrutia.

17. Hiding Due to Threats: On August 1, 2024, Machado published a letter in The Wall Street Journal, stating that she had gone into hiding "fearing for my life, my freedom, and that of my fellow countrymen from the dictatorship of Nicolás Maduro."

Recognition and Influence

Machado's influence extends beyond Venezuela, earning her recognition on the international stage.

18. BBC’s 100 Women: In addition to being listed as one of BBC’s 100 Women in 2018, Machado has also been recognized for her leadership and advocacy work in various other international forums.

19. Humanitarian Crisis: Machado has been vocal about the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, including issues such as food shortages, medical shortages, and widespread poverty.

20. Economic Problems: She has also highlighted the severe economic problems facing Venezuela, including hyperinflation, power outages, and a severe housing shortage.

Protests and Support

Machado has been a central figure in organizing protests and supporting opposition efforts.

21. Anti-Government Protests: Machado was one of the lead figures in organizing protests against the government of Nicolás Maduro during the 2014 Venezuelan protests.

22. Support for Juan Guaidó: In 2019, amid the Venezuelan presidential crisis, Machado announced that she would launch a second presidential run if disputed interim President Juan Guaidó successfully called for an election. Although Guaidó was ultimately unsuccessful in his efforts, Machado remained committed to her opposition stance.

23. Unitary Platform Primary Elections: Machado was a precandidate for Vente Venezuela in the primary elections of the Unitary Platform of 2023. Despite her strong showing in these elections, she was disqualified from participating in the final stages of the process.

Legacy and Ongoing Efforts

Machado's legacy continues to inspire many, both in Venezuela and globally.

24. International Projection: The SoyVenezuela platform, which Machado co-founded, has an international projection. This platform aims to mobilize support both domestically and internationally to address the crisis in Venezuela.

25. BBC’s Recognition: Machado’s leadership and advocacy have been recognized by various international organizations. Her unique voice in Venezuelan politics has made her a prominent figure globally.

26. Engineering Expertise: As an industrial engineer, Machado brings a technical perspective to her political work. This expertise has been valuable in addressing economic and infrastructure issues in Venezuela.

27. Family Legacy: Machado’s ancestors include Eduardo Blanco, the author of the 1881 classic Venezuela Heroica. Her family has a rich cultural heritage that has influenced her political views and actions.

28. Continuous Advocacy: Despite the challenges and risks associated with her political activism, Machado remains committed to her cause. She continues to advocate for democracy, human rights, and economic reform in Venezuela, inspiring many both domestically and internationally.

29. Engineering Background: Despite her political career, Machado remains an industrial engineer by profession. Her engineering background has provided her with a unique perspective on economic and technological issues in Venezuela.

30. Leadership in Opposition: Machado is one of the main opposition leaders in Venezuela. She has been a vocal critic of the Nicolás Maduro regime, denouncing institutional abuses, repression, and the humanitarian crisis in the country.

Maria Corina Machado's Impact

Maria Corina Machado's journey in Venezuelan politics is nothing short of remarkable. From her early days as an industrial engineer to becoming a leading voice in the opposition, her dedication to democracy and human rights stands out. Her work with Súmate, her tenure in the National Assembly, and her role in founding Vente Venezuela highlight her commitment to transparency and fairness. Despite facing significant challenges, including disqualification from office and threats to her safety, Machado remains a steadfast advocate for change. Recognized internationally, her influence extends beyond Venezuela's borders, inspiring many to fight for a better future. Her story is a testament to resilience and unwavering dedication to the principles of freedom and democracy. Maria Corina Machado continues to be a beacon of hope for those striving for a democratic Venezuela.