(Washington, January 20, 2026) — Venezuelan leader and 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado stated that it is necessary to “liberate the Venezuelan Armed Forces” during a meeting at the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee.
“We need to liberate the Venezuelan Armed Forces. This is achieved by dismantling the control of a very small group — around 1,500 individuals — who make up and control the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM),” Machado said during the meeting, which included the participation of more than 20 Republican and Democratic members of Congress.
During the same meeting, Machado also referred to her recent conversation with President Donald Trump, saying she believes he genuinely cares about the well-being of the Venezuelan people and the restoration of democratic institutions.
“I cannot speculate on his priorities or internal evaluations, but I know that the President understands very well the nature of the regime and the fundamental importance of popular sovereignty as the foundation for the country’s stability,” she said.
Machado explained that dismantling the repressive apparatus is essential so that people can mobilize and express themselves freely, and so that Venezuelans who have been forced into exile can return to their families and their lives.
She noted that there is currently a growing “hope that the system of repression is beginning to collapse.” Before January 3, she recalled, it was unthinkable for people to openly celebrate in the streets. However, following the release of a nurse in the state of Portuguesa, citizens celebrated publicly. Despite this, she stressed that repression persists in the country.
“It is still very dangerous to return home at this time. But as this process advances and we continue dismantling the machinery of repression, we will begin to see hundreds — and then thousands — return to their homes. And we hope to be able to count on your support along this path,” she said.
Machado also emphasized the importance of ensuring the release of all political prisoners and welcomed recent progress made possible by international support.
“One hundred and fifty people have already been released, and they would not be with their families today had what happened on January 3 not occurred. For this reason, we are deeply grateful to the United States,” she said.
During the meeting, María Corina Machado was presented with the United States flag that had flown atop the U.S. Capitol earlier that morning — “all 50 stars and 13 stripes,” in the words of House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast — as a gesture of respect and solidarity with the Venezuelan people’s struggle for freedom.
Machado said she has a duty to the Venezuelan people and intends to fulfill it.
“We are a proud people. We have given our lives and everything we have to live with dignity and in freedom. We know how to rebuild our country, and Venezuela is capable of financing its own recovery,” she said.
She further noted that from the perspective of business and job creation in the United States, there is no country that represents an opportunity comparable to Venezuela, particularly in terms of energy security, cultural affinity, and economic cooperation.
Asimismo, reiteró que el respeto a los derechos fundamentales forma parte de las condiciones indispensables para una transición democrática real, pacífica y sostenible.
