Venezuela: Opposition leader Machado releases 'freedom manifesto' from secret location

Venezuela’s opposition leader María Corina Machado, who received a Nobel Peace Prize last month, has released a “freedom manifesto” outlining her vision for a “new era” in the country, one without its strongman, Nicolás Maduro.

The four-page document, dated November 9 but made public on Tuesday, emphasises the democratic rights she believes every Venezuelan is entitled to, including the right to vote, assemble, and freely express themselves.

Drawing inspiration from democratic frameworks like the US Declaration of Independence, the manifesto advocates for decentralising power from the government and returning it to the people. “Every Venezuelan is born with inalienable rights that have been conferred upon them by our Creator, not by men,” the document states.

Machado, who read the manifesto in a 15-minute video from an undisclosed location, declared that Maduro’s stranglehold on power was nearing its end. Machado, driven into hiding after last year’s disputed election in which government-controlled electoral authorities declared Maduro the winner, voiced her hope for change.

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“A new Venezuela is emerging from the ashes, renewed in spirit and united in purpose, like a phoenix reborn – fierce, radiant, and unstoppable,” she proclaimed.

In the manifesto, Machado, who has welcomed US pressure on the Maduro regime, insists that Maduro must be held accountable for alleged crimes against humanity, including torture, killings, and forced disappearances. Venezuela has consistently denied these allegations.

The manifesto came after US President Donald Trump floated diplomatic talks with Maduro. Trump said on Monday that he would be open to speaking directly with Maduro at a “certain time,” indicating he sees a possible path forward that doesn’t rely on airstrikes or sending commandos to remove him.

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However, the US president asserted his willingness to go after drug cartels using force in land in countries like Venezuela, Mexico and Colombia. “We know their address. We know their address. We know everything about every one of them," Trump said.

Meanwhile, Maduro has responded to Trump’s invitation to talks, saying he is ready to talk “face to face” with anyone in the United States “who wants to talk to Venezuela.”