María Corina Machado issues a stark warning in Munich: she asserts that Cuba and Nicaragua will "fall" after a change of power in Venezuela.

 

María Corina Machado participó de forma virtual en la Conferencia de Seguridad de Múnich (REUTERS/Liesa Johannssen)

María Corina Machado says Cuba and Nicaragua will “follow the same path” once the regime in Venezuela is dismantled

MUNICH, Germany (IPU NEWS) — Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, said Saturday that the governments of Cuba and Nicaragua will follow “the same path” as Venezuela once what she called the “criminal regime” in her country is dismantled. Her comments came during a speech at the Munich Security Conference, an international forum focused on defense and geopolitics. ([El Tiempo][1])

Machado, who participated remotely from the United States, stated that after nearly three decades of political and social crisis in Venezuela, there is a historic opportunity to transform the country and, in her view, bring about similar changes in the region. “Once we dismantle the criminal regime in Venezuela, Cuba will be next, followed by Nicaragua. For the first time in history, we will have the Americas free of communism and dictatorship,” she declared in English to the forum attendees. ([infobae][2])

Machado dijo que no se puede hablar de transición en Venezuela "si persiste la represión" (REUTERS/Gaby Oraa)

Perspective on the Transition in Venezuela

During her remarks, Machado emphasized the profound crisis that Venezuela has experienced, including the mass migration of millions of people and the devastation of democratic institutions and public services. She attributed the situation to what she called a criminal regime that, according to her, has destroyed the country and its families. She reiterated her vision of an “orderly” democratic transition and highlighted the role of international pressure in that process. ([infobae][2])

Machado also emphasized that the United States has been a key player in this context, thanking them for their support and noting that recent events—such as the military operation that resulted in the capture of the former Venezuelan president—have helped pave the way for a political transition. However, she stressed that **“actions”** beyond mere declarations are needed to consolidate sustainable and effective change in Venezuela. ([infobae][2])

Machado sostuvo que los migrantes venezolanos volverán a su país “cuando exista certeza de un proceso democrático, con garantías de libertad"

Reactions and Regional Context

The mention of Cuba and Nicaragua comes at a time of intense debate about the influence of leftist regimes in Latin America and the region's political orientation. Both Cuba and Nicaragua have been allied governments of the Chavista leaders in Venezuela, and their domestic policies have been the subject of international criticism from human rights groups and Western governments.

Although many analysts consider Machado's statements forceful, they also point out that the political transformation of these countries will depend on internal dynamics, regional pressure, and the capacity of their societies to drive long-term change.

Machado sostuvo que Nicaragua y Cuba también serán libres (EFE/ Adalberto Roqu

Machado, who previously lived in hiding in Venezuela and left the country to receive the Nobel Prize, said that she will eventually return to her nation when a foundation of democratic certainty is achieved that guarantees freedom and protection for opponents and citizens. ([infobae][2])