While in hiding, María Corina Machado, Nobel Peace Prize winner, presents ‘Manifesto for the Freedom of Venezuela’
The document, published by The Washington Post, explains that "we, the citizens of Venezuela, are not appealing to power or privilege, but rather to the eternal rights that have been bestowed upon every human. It is from this foundation that truth is born: no ruler, faction or tyrannical force has the ability to dictate to individuals what is theirs by right: freedom."
María Corina Machado (Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP)
María Corina Machado, leader of the Venezuelan opposition, published a manifesto in which she establishes the bases to start the reconstruction of Venezuela once a transition is enacted. She argued that "[the Nicolás Maduro] regime’s long and violent abuse of power is ending."
The document, published by The Washington Post, explains that "we, the citizens of Venezuela, are not appealing to power or privilege, but rather to the eternal rights that have been bestowed upon every human. It is from this foundation that truth is born: no ruler, faction or tyrannical force has the ability to dictate to individuals what is theirs by right: freedom."
Machado, who has been in hiding for more than a year, conveyed a message of determination to Venezuelans, stating that "freedom is not a privilege that is bestowed by a government; rather, it is an inherent right woven into
the very essence of our humanity."
In that sense, the manifesto detailed that "dignity is the catalyst that will elevate the Venezuelan’s hearts and minds again. It will motivate hope."
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The manifesto highlights that will "create a new world where our people will rise from this dark age of oppression with a single, unbreakable mission: freedom."
The opposition leader assured that once the Chavista regime is out of power, the right to property and to "reclaim what was stolen" will be protected, and affirmed that in a new Venezuela, "the government will provide the conditions to create a free and competitive economy."
"Because in a free republic the only sovereign is the people; because our popular and national sovereignty is inalienable; and because we Venezuelans know that freedom must be defended every day — there is no room for fear," specified the preamble of the document signed by Machado.
"Envision a new Venezuela perched on top of the Western Hemisphere, as the premier global energy hub – a symbol of independence and innovation," she added.
"The criminal regime must be held accountable"
"The cries of the murdered, tortured, and disappeared have echoed unanswered for too long."
She indicated that more than 18,000 political prisoners have suffered unjustly:
"The criminal regime must be held accountable. Venezuela will only fully rise when those who committed crimes against humanity are held accountable by both, the law and history."
She also pledged to promote a profound transformation of the military and police forces, so that their "mission, sacred purpose, and constitutional duty is to defend all people of Venezuela as well as our national territory."
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