Venezuelan Opposition Leaders Honored with EU’s Sakharov Prize

Edmundo González Urrutia and María Corina Machado are recognized for their fight for democracy and human rights amid political repression under Nicolás Maduro.

The European Parliament awarded the Sakharov Prize to Venezuelan opposition leaders Edmundo González Urrutia and María Corina Machado for their efforts to restore democracy and human rights in Venezuela.
González, who fled to Spain after disputed elections in July, and Machado, currently in hiding, have faced significant repression under Nicolás Maduro's regime.
The EU parliament has formally recognized González as Venezuela's legitimate president, rejecting Maduro’s contested reelection.
Protests following the disputed election led to 28 deaths, nearly 200 injuries, and over 2,400 arrests, highlighting the regime’s crackdown on dissent.
González plans to return to Venezuela on January 10, the day of Maduro’s swearing-in, in what he hopes will mark the beginning of a democratic transition.