Who is María Corina Machado: the two versions of her arrest

Chijioke Obinna

Who is María Corina Machado: the two versions of her arrest

Maria Corina Machado appeared this Thursday after more than 100 days of hiding. The main face of the opposition to Maduro returned to the streets to attend the protest he had called for defend the electoral victory of the opponent Edmundo González Urrutiajust on the eve of Nicolás Maduro’s presidential inauguration this Friday.

“Today “The brave people demonstrated how to overcome fear”said the leader in a publication on her X profile (formerly Twitter). “I have never felt so proud to be Venezuelan. Thanks to all citizens who took to the streets to claim our victory of July 28 and collect it.

Corina Machado, born in Caracas, is a politician, industrial engineer, professor and national coordinator of the Vente Venezuela political movementthe largest opposition platform against the Maduro regime that currently exists.

Since he entered politics his objective has been clear: defeat chavismowhich has been in power since 1999 when Hugo Chávez began his mandate and, now, with Nicolás Maduro.

Its presence has been especially noticeable in recent years and, especially in recent months, due to stand up to the dictatorial regime of Maduro in Venezuela despite the multiple threats received.

The versions of his arrest

After the demonstration, sources from the opposition leader reported that Corina Machado had been violently detained in Chacao. “She was intercepted and knocked off the motorcycle she was riding on” by security forces, her campaign team reported.

During the event gunshots were heard and, according to the first information, Machado was forced to record certain videos while she was detained. “They took her away by force. During the period of her kidnapping was forced to record videos“said his team on the social network X.

This arrest was initially denied by senior government officialslike the Minister of the Interior, Diosdado Cabello, who stated that it was “a lie fabricated by the opposition.”

It is also the case of Attorney General of VenezuelaTarek William Saab, who spoke of what happened as a “psychological operation” that could “be considered a simulation of a punishable act.”

Thus, William Saab pointed out in an Instagram publication that “a mediocre false flag operation which, due to its very nature and quality, could be considered a simulation of a punishable act by falsely reporting from a platform that responds to the stateless interests of María Corina Machado ‘had been intercepted and detained.'”

According to the version defended by the attorney general, “it has been a matter of develop a disastrous psychological operation to unleash acts of violence at a time when the country is preparing for the inauguration of Nicolás Maduro Moros in the period 2025-2031″.

Chijioke Obinna

I've been passionate about storytelling and journalism since my early days growing up in Lagos. With a background in political science and years of experience in investigative reporting, I aim to bring nuanced perspectives to pressing global issues. Outside of writing, I enjoy exploring Nigeria’s vibrant cultural scene and mentoring young aspiring journalists.