Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado held a rally in Madrid on Saturday (April 18) with thousands of supporters in attendance. However, during her visit to several European countries, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate declined to meet with the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
Machado, a right-wing liberal figure, rejected the invitation to meet with Prime Minister Sánchez despite the large rally taking place in the Spanish capital on Saturday. Last Friday, Sánchez expressed his willingness to meet with Machado at any time.
On Saturday, Sánchez hosted a summit attended by progressive leaders from around the world, while Machado told reporters: “The events of the past few hours at the meeting in Barcelona with leaders and politicians from different countries show why such meetings are not advisable.”
During her visit to various European countries, the Venezuelan opposition leader met with leaders from France, Italy, and the Netherlands.
In mid-January, Machado visited the White House to meet with Trump, presenting him with the Nobel Peace Prize medal she recently received and expressing gratitude for the U.S. military action in arresting Maduro in January. She said, “There is a leader in the world, a head of state, risking the lives of its citizens for the freedom of Venezuela. And that person is Donald Trump.”
She stated that she has been in contact with officials from the Trump administration and believes that Washington is gradually advancing Venezuela’s democratic process following Maduro’s ousting.
Sánchez differs from Trump in his political views, especially regarding the recent conflict with Iran where he refused U.S. military aircraft to take off from a joint military base in southern Spain to carry out missions against the Iranian regime. Trump stated that due to Spain’s failure as a NATO ally to fulfill its obligations, the U.S. is considering severing trade relations with the country.
In a previous event, Machado mentioned her intention to return to Venezuela but did not disclose the specific time and manner of her return, acknowledging that she will face various challenges upon going back.
Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodríguez has been actively cooperating with the U.S. since taking office, leading to the lifting of some sanctions against her. The two countries have now officially restored diplomatic relations.
Machado stated that she is coordinating with the U.S. government to seek a return to Venezuela and lead the country towards democratic elections.