Venezuelan authorities have launched an investigation into prominent opposition leader María Corina Machado, accusing her of treason for supporting a U.S. bipartisan bill aimed at restricting trade with entities connected to the government of President Nicolás Maduro. The Attorney General’s Office labeled Machado’s endorsement of the legislation a “severe crime against the Venezuelan people,” and she is also being investigated for conspiracy with foreign nations and criminal association.
Machado, a vocal critic of Maduro’s regime, has faced ongoing political suppression, including being barred from running in Venezuela’s contentious July presidential election. The election was widely criticized for alleged irregularities, including reports of opposition figures being arrested, restricted access to the centralized vote count, and limited participation of overseas Venezuelans.
The U.S. bill, known as the BOLIVAR Act, was introduced by Florida representatives Mike Waltz and Debbie Wasserman Schultz and recently passed in the House of Representatives. The legislation seeks to prevent U.S. federal entities from engaging in business with organizations tied to Maduro’s government.
Waltz, who has been tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as national security adviser, praised the legislation and expressed support for Machado, calling her a “beacon of hope for Venezuelans rejecting Maduro’s authoritarianism.” Machado, currently in hiding, thanked U.S. lawmakers for passing the bill, stating it was a significant step toward holding the Maduro regime accountable.
President Nicolás Maduro dismissed the initiative during a televised address, asserting that such efforts by the opposition and international actors would not succeed in destabilizing his administration.
The political crisis in Venezuela has deepened since the July election, which the government’s electoral authority—a body dominated by Maduro loyalists—declared he won with 51% of the vote. However, authorities have failed to provide detailed electoral records or results to substantiate the outcome, fueling public outrage and international concern.
Several nations, including the United States, have refused to recognize Maduro’s victory, instead acknowledging opposition candidate Edmundo González as the legitimate president-elect. This decision reflects widespread doubts about the transparency and fairness of the election process.
Machado’s case underscores the challenges faced by Venezuela’s opposition leaders as they navigate a political landscape marred by suppression and alleged manipulation. Critics argue that the investigations into Machado are part of a broader strategy to stifle dissent and consolidate power within Maduro’s administration.
The ongoing developments have drawn attention to Venezuela’s prolonged political and economic crisis, with calls from international organizations for accountability, free elections, and the restoration of democratic norms.
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