In a powerful ceremony held in Strasbourg this morning, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola presented the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Venezuelan opposition leaders Edmundo González Urrutia and María Corina Machado.
The award recognises their unwavering fight for justice, democracy, and human rights in Venezuela amid escalating political repression.
President Metsola, opening the award ceremony, emphasised the significance of the Sakharov Prize. “In their quest for justice, democracy, and the rule of law, Edmundo González Urrutia and María Corina Machado are fearlessly upholding values that millions of Venezuelans and the European Parliament hold so dear.
“This award is not just a recognition but also a reminder that the fight for freedom is never in vain. The future of Venezuela belongs to its people, and the European Parliament stands proudly with them,” Metsola declared.
The Sakharov Prize, named after Soviet physicist and human rights activist Andrei Sakharov, is awarded annually by the European Parliament to individuals or organizations dedicated to defending human rights and fundamental freedoms. This year, the focus was on Venezuela, where democratic values are being systematically undermined under the regime of Nicolás Maduro.
The Struggle for Democracy in Venezuela
María Corina Machado, a prominent opposition leader, was elected in 2023 as the presidential candidate for the United Democratic Platform, a coalition of Venezuela’s opposition forces. However, her disqualification by the government-controlled National Electoral Council highlighted the regime’s efforts to suppress democratic competition. Represented at the ceremony by her daughter Ana Corina Sosa, Machado remains an emblem of resilience in the face of authoritarianism.
Machado addressed the European Parliament remotely, offering a passionate denunciation of Venezuela’s ongoing crisis. She underscored the regime’s tactics to divide and weaken the population, stating, “For a quarter of a century they have attempted to divide, weaken, and subdue us.
“Preaching hate, they tried to pit us against each other—people against people; divide us between rich and poor, left and right, white and black, those who leave and those who stay, and also for our religious beliefs.”
She further condemned the regime’s destruction of democratic institutions and economic stability, pointing to Venezuela’s catastrophic hyperinflation and growing dependence on state-controlled aid.
“A corrupt and criminal regime has suffocated the economy, prompting the worst levels of hyperinflation in history and turning millions into dependents of public aid conditioned to political loyalty, without dignity nor future,” Machado added.
Yet, despite these challenges, she expressed hope, describing the July 28th elections as a turning point in Venezuela’s history. “We know we will succeed; Venezuela’s victory will be the victory of all humankind.”
Edmundo González Urrutia’s Courage and Vision
Edmundo González Urrutia, a seasoned diplomat and politician, succeeded Machado as the opposition’s candidate after her disqualification. His candidacy, however, was marred by controversy and government interference. Following the July 2024 presidential elections, González Urrutia contested the results, denouncing the regime’s failure to publish official outcomes and rejecting Nicolás Maduro’s declared victory. Facing an arrest warrant, he sought refuge in Spain in September 2024, where he continues to advocate for democracy and freedom in his homeland.
Addressing Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), González Urrutia delivered a stirring speech filled with optimism and resolve. “Sooner rather than later, our country will take a turn in a direction determined by our people. The abuse and violence of these days is just a clumsy attempt to postpone what is unavoidable,” he stated.
González Urrutia highlighted the universal desire among Venezuelans, including former regime loyalists, to rebuild their nation on the principles of democracy, freedom, and unity. “No government based on violence is stable,” he declared, underlining his belief in an inevitable transition toward justice.
The Sakharov Prize, González Urrutia noted, strengthens the resolve of Venezuelans fighting for democracy. He described the award as a symbol of solidarity among democrats worldwide who, in his words, “today, more than ever, need each other.”
He concluded with a powerful reminder: “Venezuela’s fight for freedom and democracy is the fight for these values in the whole world.”
The European Parliament’s Commitment to Venezuela
The European Parliament’s recognition of González Urrutia as Venezuela’s legitimate president and Machado as the leader of the democratic forces underscores Europe’s firm stance against Maduro’s regime. In a resolution adopted on September 19th, 2024, MEPs cited international observation reports confirming that the Venezuelan elections lacked the integrity and transparency required under global democratic standards.
This resolution followed earlier calls in February 2024 for the European Union to maintain and escalate sanctions against Maduro’s regime. The Parliament demanded concrete commitments to uphold democracy and human rights, aligning with the Barbados Agreement’s provisions. Additionally, in July 2023, MEPs condemned the Venezuelan government’s unconstitutional decisions to bar opposition figures like Machado, Leopoldo López, Henrique Capriles, and Freddy Superlano from participating in elections.
Symbols of Hope and Solidarity
The awarding of the 2024 Sakharov Prize to Edmundo González Urrutia and María Corina Machado highlights not only their personal courage but also the resilience of the Venezuelan people in their fight for freedom and justice. As President Metsola affirmed, the European Parliament remains steadfast in its support for Venezuela’s democratic aspirations.
Both González Urrutia and Machado exemplify the enduring power of unity and hope in the face of oppression. Their leadership continues to inspire millions, reminding the world that the struggle for freedom is a universal cause—one that transcends borders and generations.
Venezuela’s path to democracy may be fraught with challenges, but as both leaders emphasized, genuine change is not only possible but inevitable. For their bravery and determination, they have earned the admiration and solidarity of the international community.
