María Corina Machado urged a "new era" for Venezuela as US warships positioned near the country raise tensions. She has welcomed the military presence and supported US claims that President Nicolás Maduro heads a drug cartel, noting strikes that reportedly killed at least 83 people. Machado — the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate — has been in hiding after alleging last year’s election was stolen and pledged secure, unmanipulated post-Maduro elections and accountability for alleged abuses and political detentions.
Machado Calls for a 'New Era' as US Warships Loom Near Venezuela — Demands Elections and Accountability
María Corina Machado urged a "new era" for Venezuela as US warships positioned near the country raise tensions. She has welcomed the military presence and supported US claims that President Nicolás Maduro heads a drug cartel, noting strikes that reportedly killed at least 83 people. Machado — the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate — has been in hiding after alleging last year’s election was stolen and pledged secure, unmanipulated post-Maduro elections and accountability for alleged abuses and political detentions.
07:32 AM, 11/19/2025Conflict
Venezuelan Opposition Leader Seeks Change Amid Rising Tensions
With US warships deployed within striking distance of Venezuela, opposition leader María Corina Machado on Tuesday outlined her vision for "a new era" without President Nicolás Maduro. Machado has publicly welcomed the increased US military presence and backed Washington's allegation that Maduro leads a drug cartel, citing recent strikes on suspected drug vessels that have reportedly killed at least 83 people in Caribbean and Pacific waters.
Maduro has characterized the naval deployment as a potential regime-change operation disguised as an anti-drug campaign and has warned of foreign interference. US President Donald Trump said he believed Maduro's rule was precarious, recently suggested Maduro's days might be numbered, and declined to rule out the possibility of deploying ground troops while also expressing openness to talks.
"We are on the threshold of a new era," Machado said in a video posted on social media. Identified as the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, she has been in hiding since accusing Maduro of stealing last year’s presidential election — a claim echoed by many foreign governments.
Machado vowed that a post-Maduro Venezuela would hold elections "with security and without any manipulation," and she insisted that the Maduro government must be held accountable for its alleged abuses. She described thousands of detainees as "political prisoners" and urged legal proceedings against those accused of crimes against humanity.
Observers warn the military buildup and recent strikes pose risks of escalation and could complicate diplomatic efforts. Machado framed her message as both a call for democratic renewal and a demand for justice, while international attention remains focused on the possibility of intensified military and political confrontation in the region.