From Norway, where she has just received the Nobel Peace Prize, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado asserted that the Nicolas Maduro regime “has its days numbered” and that she “absolutely” supports President Trump’s strategy on Venezuela Venezuela, amidst the growing pressure campaign by its administration against the regime of President Nicolas Maduro. In an extensive interview with Margaret Brennan on CBS's "Face the Nation," Machado said: "We, the Venezuelan people, are very grateful to him and his administration, because I believe he is a defender of freedom in this hemisphere." The United States has increased pressure against Maduro with new sanctions, asset seizures, operations against vessels linked to drug trafficking, and a greater military presence in the region. For Machado, these actions respond to a demand that the Venezuelan opposition has been making for years. Looking ahead to a transition scenario, the opposition leader asserted that the main ally of a democratic Venezuela will be the United States and anticipates a massive return of migrants. "The day Maduro leaves, we will see hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans returning home," she concluded.

Venezuelans' Prize

The Nobel Prize winner spoke for the first time since her clandestine departure from Venezuela, an operation she described as "extremely risky," but whose details she avoided revealing so as not to endanger those who helped her.

The opposition leader confirmed that she received international support, although she insisted that what is truly relevant is not her escape, but the message that the Nobel Prize represents for Venezuelans.

"This prize is not mine; it belongs to the Venezuelan people, who have fought tirelessly against a criminal and narco-terrorist structure," she stated.

Machado indicated that her intention is to return to the country when she can be more useful to the cause.

even while acknowledging the personal risks and the impact that this decision has on her family, whom she keeps outside of Venezuela for their safety.

“Maduro declared war on the Venezuelan people”

During the interview, Machado asserted that Maduro's government does not function as a conventional dictatorship, but rather as a transnational criminal network with ties to Russia, Iran, Cuba, armed groups, and drug cartels.

“The resources that Maduro obtains do not go to schools or hospitals; they are used to buy weapons, pay criminal groups, and sustain repression,” she maintained.

In that context, she rejected the argument that sanctions harm the people and directly blamed the regime for the humanitarian crisis, low wages, the collapse of public services, and the exodus of more than eight million Venezuelans.

Machado also denounced a recent increase in state violence, including arbitrary detentions and the imprisonment of minors, and stated that the regime has become “more aggressive” in the face of losing internal control.

“When a criminal regime knows its days are numbered, it responds with more brutality,” he said.

Armed Forces divided and a transition in preparation

One of the central points of the interview was the situation within the Venezuelan Armed Forces. Machado asserted that a deep fracture exists and that a large majority of the military desires political change. As an example, she cited the events of the 2024 elections, when—according to her—many uniformed personnel disobeyed orders to expel opposition poll watchers. “We have evidence that more than 80% of the armed forces would support a democratic transition once it is underway,” she stated. However, she clarified that the opposition does not and will not participate in the national security decisions of other countries, and avoided commenting directly on a potential US military action, although she made it clear that she would accept “all the necessary pressure” to force Maduro to relinquish power. Machado maintained that political change has already been decided by the majority of Venezuelans and that what remains is to enforce that will. She reiterated that she does not seek revenge, but justice, especially for those who have committed crimes against humanity documented by the United Nations. United.

Looking ahead, the leader explained that the opposition already has concrete plans for the first hours and days of a new government, with international support in security, energy, finance, and institutional reconstruction.

She also anticipates that, once Maduro leaves power, there will be a massive return of migrants.

“The Venezuelan people are our main source of stability,” he concluded. “We have paid a huge price for freedom, but Venezuela will be free.”