LIVE: Venezuela's Machado holds a news conference

Chile's democratic inspiration

Machado was visibly moved witnessing President José Antonio Kast transfer power to the elected candidate, calling it a sacred demonstration of popular sovereignty that thousands of Venezuelans have died to achieve.

U.S. as fundamental ally

She cited the Trump administration and Secretary Marco Rubio as essential partners, noting the January 3rd application of international justice against the regime's criminal structure opened a critical path forward.

Transcendent regional cause

Machado declared Venezuela's freedom struggle has become a Latin American and global cause for all citizens who value democracy, human dignity, and the rule of law.

Ongoing torture and persecution

Approximately 50 political prisoners remain imprisoned, tortured, and hidden by the regime for dissenting, representing an urgent priority requiring immediate international advocacy.

Prisoners eager to resume work

Released detainees are immediately calling to ask for instructions to resume civic work, demonstrating unbroken organizational discipline despite imprisonment.

No peace without full liberty

Machado rejected partial or fictitious freedoms, insisting there can be no peace in Venezuela without full democracy, justice, and the unrestricted right to choose leaders through free elections.

Scale of displacement in Chile

Nearly 700,000 Venezuelans in Chile were forced to flee due to political persecution or economic collapse, leaving behind savings, families, and dreams while maintaining deep emotional ties to their homeland.

Personal commitment to a child

Machado emotionally recounted promising a crying Venezuelan girl in Santiago that she would take her back to Venezuela, symbolizing the opposition's pledge to enable dignified returns for all exiles.

Vision for national recovery

She outlined a future Venezuela with clear rule of law that would attract massive investment and allow millions of compatriots to return and rebuild their nation.

Civic, non-violent resistance

The opposition maintains organized, peaceful resistance despite regime provocations and imprisonment of colleagues, distinguishing their discipline from state violence and chaos.

Coordinated return planned

Machado stated her return to Venezuela will be coordinated with allies once she completes diplomatic alignment of civic, political, and economic actors supporting the transition.

Flexibility on timing

While promising to return within weeks or months, she emphasized completing her international mission first to align all vectors of support for the final push toward free elections.