Maria Corina Machado

María Corina Machado is the leader of Venezuela’s democratic movement and a key figure in advancing the country’s political and economic transition. In October 2023, she won the opposition primaries with 92% of the vote, uniting a broad coalition around a platform centered on institutional restoration, rule of law, and economic openness. She subsequently led the national campaign that secured a decisive electoral mandate for democratic change in 2024.

Machado served as a member of Venezuela’s National Assembly, where she was elected with the highest vote count in the country’s history. She is the founder of VENTE Venezuela, a political movement that promotes democratic governance and market-oriented reforms, and co-founder of Súmate, a civic organization focused on electoral transparency and citizen participation.

With a background in industrial engineering and finance, and experience in both the private sector and civil society, she has been a consistent advocate for rebuilding Venezuela’s institutions and enabling conditions for long-term investment and growth. In 2025, she received the Nobel Peace Prize for her leadership in advancing a peaceful democratic transition.