During her nationwide tours, former opposition presidential candidate María Corina Machado has been moved by the heartrending pleas of Venezuelan parents who long for the return of their children. Felix Hurtado, an elderly man with a pacemaker, approached Machado during her visit to the state of Bolívar to share his plight. "I have seven children, and they all left the country. I want my children to come back. I just want Maduro to leave us in peace," he tearfully implored the ex-candidate. Machado, visibly moved, responded, "Have faith that we will achieve this."
Similarly, a mother named Melisa Guzmán expressed her desperation: "I trust you, my heart is with you. You are my hope for bringing back my brothers, my cousins, my daughter, my only daughter, home." She continued, "I will vote, I will support you, I won't just encourage 20 people; I will reach out to 100 people, going to every town, every corner, to ask them to vote."
Machado's Commitment to Reuniting Families
In a post on social media platform X, Machado—who won the opposition primaries last year but was disqualified by the Maduro regime and thus cannot appear on the ballot in the upcoming July elections—stated that many Venezuelan families have been torn apart over the past decades. "A country united in one purpose: to see this through to the end, to liberate Venezuela and reunite our families forever," she declared.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), more than 7.7 million people have left Venezuela in search of protection and a better life. The majority—over 6.5 million people—have been welcomed by countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Last March, the Maduro regime disqualified Machado from running, and although she will not be on the ballot in Venezuela's presidential elections on July 28, she continues to travel across the country, seeking to rekindle hope among opposition supporters and weary citizens disillusioned by Chavismo. Her campaign rallies and events draw hundreds of supporters in small towns, a strategy mirrored by Nicolás Maduro's efforts to secure re-election.
After a political agreement among broad opposition sectors, Edmundo González, a little-known former diplomat, will take Machado's place on the ballot.
Frequently Asked Questions about María Corina Machado and Venezuelan Parental Pleas
Below are some common questions and answers related to María Corina Machado's interactions with Venezuelan parents and the broader implications of her political efforts.
Who is María Corina Machado?
María Corina Machado is a former opposition presidential candidate in Venezuela known for her strong stance against the Maduro regime.
Why are Venezuelan parents pleading to María Corina Machado?
Many Venezuelan parents plead to Machado because they see her as a beacon of hope for the return of their children who have left the country due to economic and political instability.
What is the significance of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) statistics?
The UNHCR statistics highlight the vast number of Venezuelans who have fled the country, underscoring the severity of the crisis and the widespread impact on families.
Who is Edmundo González?
Edmundo González is a former diplomat who has been chosen to replace María Corina Machado on the opposition's ballot for the presidential elections.