'Promise fulfilled': Machado reacts to US strikes, Maduro capture; vows to build 'new Venezuela'

Venezuela’s leading opposition figure María Corina Machado on Saturday hailed the capture of President Nicolás Maduro by US forces, declaring that Washington had “fulfilled its promise” and signalling what she described as the beginning of a democratic transition in the country.
In a statement, Machado said Maduro would now face “international justice for the atrocious crimes committed against Venezuelans and against citizens of many other nations”, adding: “The HOUR OF FREEDOM has arrived!” She argued that Maduro’s refusal to accept a negotiated exit had left the United States with no alternative. “Given his refusal to accept a negotiated exit, the government of the United States has fulfilled its promise to uphold the law,” she said.




Machado said that events are a turning point for Venezuela’s political future, calling for what she described as the restoration of popular and national sovereignty. “The time has come for Popular Sovereignty and National Sovereignty to prevail in our country,” she said, pledging to “restore order, free political prisoners, build an exceptional country, and bring our children back home”.

She insisted the moment vindicated years of opposition struggle. “We have fought for years, we have given everything, and it has been worth it. What had to happen is happening,” Machado said, casting the capture of Maduro as “the hour of the citizens” who, she said, had “risked everything for democracy on 28 July”.

Machado said the opposition was ready to act. “Today we are prepared to enforce our mandate and take power,” she declared, urging supporters to remain “vigilant, active and organised until the Democratic Transition is achieved”.

On Saturday, US launched a overnight military operation against Venezuela, capturing Maduro and his wife. US officials say both will face narco-terrorism charges in American courts.