The Venezuelan opposition leader opens her eyes and lets out a sigh as she relives her secret journey to escape Venezuela. “They were very intense hours, there were moments when I felt a real risk for my life,” said this year’s Nobel Peace Prize winner in a meeting with eight international media, including EL PAÍS, at the Grand Hotel in Oslo, less than 48 hours after disembarking in the Norwegian capital. The leader has assured that her movement faces decisive moments, “the situation is moving and accelerating with each passing day,” and she has said she is ready to lead the democratic transition in her country. “Time is against Nicolás Maduro and the regime, and in favor of the opposition, of Venezuelans,” he noted. Machado has also referred to the role that the Government of Pedro Sánchez has assumed and has stressed that its actions have not been sufficient in the face of the Venezuelan crisis. “History will judge,” he commented. “But what was missing, was missing.”
“What we have seen in the last few hours is the entire world recognizing the cause of the Venezuelans,” commented Machado. “If it is not for reasons of justice and respect for democracy and freedom, then let it be for pragmatic reasons, but let them do their part. That is what we expect,” he demanded of the Spanish authorities. The 58-year-old leader thanked “the support of the Spanish people,” as well as the welcome of the Venezuelan diaspora in the country. The Venezuelan Nobel Prize winner has assured that she has open channels with representatives and “great friends” from “the entire ideological spectrum” in Spain.
Of the details that have been revealed in recent hours about his, circumventing military controls and undertaking a risky boat trip to the island of Curacao, Machado neither confirms nor denies the information, but maintains his distance. “I am not going to give any details or make any comments about the logistical process that brought me here,” he stated.
The Venezuelan Nobel Prize winner has not yet revealed what her next steps will be or whether she plans to visit Spain or plan to meet with the American president, Donald Trump. “Yesterday I said one day at a time, today I tell you one hour at a time,” he responded. “If I had the answers, I certainly wouldn’t give them to you at this point.”
