Up First from NPR Nobel Laureate Maria Corina Machado on Regime Change in Venezuela
86 snips
Oct 11, 2025 
Maria Corina Machado, a Venezuelan opposition leader and 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, speaks from hiding about her groundbreaking award and its dedication to President Trump. She passionately discusses the dire conditions in Venezuela, the regime's connection to drug trafficking, and the ongoing struggle for democratic transition. Emphasizing the need for strength to combat criminal structures, Machado addresses U.S. military intervention and encourages citizens to take an active role in rebuilding democracy.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Why She Stays In Venezuela
- Maria Corina Machado says she is in hiding but chose to stay in Venezuela to remain useful to her cause.
- She argues being close to the people and using technology lets her communicate with leaders and the world from inside the country.
Elections As A Mandate For Change
- Machado says her opposition won a fraudulent election a year ago and will enforce a mandate of regime change.
- She frames the core issue as the Venezuelan people's will expressed by ballots, not bullets.
Dedication To Trump And Regional Change
- Machado dedicated her Nobel to the people of Venezuela and to President Trump, praising his actions in recent months.
- She links his Americas policy to the potential removal of regional authoritarian regimes like Cuba and Nicaragua.