The European Union awarded its top human rights prize, the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, to Venezuelan opposition leaders Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia. The prize was given to them three months after they participated in the Venezuelan presidential election, which they claim was rigged in favour of President Nicolas Maduro. Machado ran as the democratic opposition candidate in the election in 2024, but she was disqualified by the government. Gonzalez, who had not run for office before, took her place in the election. The European Parliament honoured Machado and Gonzalez for representing the people of Venezuela in their fight to restore freedom and democracy in the country.
The National Electoral Council declared incumbent Nicolas Maduro as the winner of the election with 51 percent of the vote, marking his third win since he first became president in 2013 after the death of former President Hugo Chavez. However, the opposition disputed the results, alleging that Maduro had only received 30 percent of the vote and that Gonzalez was the true victor. The opposition leaders demanded the release of election results from individual polling stations, which led to protests against the government’s crackdown on opposition protesters and leaders. Many opposition figures were forced to seek refuge in foreign embassies, including Gonzalez, who spent a month in hiding before eventually fleeing to Spain.
Gonzalez expressed gratitude for Europe’s solidarity with Venezuela, stating that the Sakharov Prize embodies the support of the European people for the Venezuelan struggle to regain democracy. Despite receiving the prestigious award, Gonzalez emphasized that the fight is not over, as the regime in Venezuela continues to block political change and commit human rights violations and crimes against humanity. He called for Democrats, both inside and outside of Venezuela, to work together to ensure that the sovereign mandate of the Venezuelan people is respected. The Sakharov Prize, named after Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, was established in 1988 to honour individuals or groups who defend human rights and basic freedoms.
In the previous year, the European Parliament awarded the Sakharov Prize to Iranian activist Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody after being arrested for violating mandatory hijab rules, as well as the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement in Iran. The prize is a symbol of recognition for individuals or groups who stand up for human rights and freedom of thought in the face of adversity. The honourees are chosen for their dedication to defending democracy, justice, and the rule of law in their countries. Machado and Gonzalez have been recognized for their unwavering commitment to fighting for a free, fair, and peaceful transition of power in Venezuela and upholding the values of justice and democracy that millions of Venezuelans and the European Parliament hold dear.
