Puerta del Sol in Madrid was packed with Venezuelans protesting against the brutal Chavista regime in Venezuela, currently led by Delcy Rodriguez. The rally in Madrid was led by Venezuela’s Opposition Leader María Corina Machado who was hosted by city’s Mayor Isabel Díaz Ayuso. The pair greeted the crowds from the Mayor’s office before María Corina Machado descended among the crowds to give a speech.
In a press conference Mayor Isabel Díaz Ayuso said that María Corina Machado will be the first woman President of Venezuela. She strongly backed the opposition leader, stating that María Corina Machado represents the democratic future of Venezuela and expressing confidence that she would become the country’s first female president. Ayuso also criticised international leaders who, continue to show tolerance towards authoritarian regimes, insisting that “democracy must be defended without ambiguity.”
Addressing the crowds, María Corina Machado struck a hopeful tone, telling supporters: “Today the return home begins,” as she framed the rally as the start of a renewed push for democracy in Venezuela. She also emphasised that Venezuelans in exile would not remain abroad forever and called for unity in the struggle to restore democratic rule. She added: “It’s everybody’s job to make sure that we go forward without delay with free and clean elections,” reinforcing her call for an urgent democratic transition.
The Venezuelan Opposition Leader refused to meet with the Spanish Premier Pedro Sanchez, who was in Barcelona for a gathering with socialist leaders and backers. During the conference in Barcelona, Sánchez called on progressive movements to unite and strengthen cooperation in the face of what he described as the growing threat of the global right and far-right. The summit, organised jointly by Spain and Brazil, forms part of a wider initiative to build an international “progressive” and socialist front. The event gathered more than 5,000 participants, including political leaders, trade union representatives, academics and activists from around 40 countries. Among those present were Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro and South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa. EU Council President António Costa was also present.
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