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The Freedom Manifesto
The Freedom Manifesto by opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado expands upon her vision of a “new era” for a Venezuela without its dictator Nicolás Maduro. This manifesto presents the basic values and principles on which not only her government program is based, but also her vision of the state and the new national project she envisions for Venezuela.
The natural dignity of every human being and their right to be free are essential principles of this project, as is the courage needed to defend them. The need to rebuild the economy with the free labor of citizens and the private sector is a priority. Likewise, the right to security, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and association, education that begins at home, and civic and transparent voting are pillars of the liberal democracy that Machado wishes to establish in Venezuela.
The return of emigrants, as well as the protection of territory and the return of Venezuela among the democratic nations of the world, are fundamental objectives of this new stage, as is the need for justice to be done for the crimes against humanity committed by the previous regime.
This book brings together the testimonies of dozens of Venezuelans who know the horrors of the previous regime well because they have stood up to it in various ways. Each of these stories reflects and exemplifies many others like them—stories of pain and abuse, but also of light, strength, courage, and hope.
The natural dignity of every human being and their right to be free are essential principles of this project, as is the courage needed to defend them. The need to rebuild the economy with the free labor of citizens and the private sector is a priority. Likewise, the right to security, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and association, education that begins at home, and civic and transparent voting are pillars of the liberal democracy that Machado wishes to establish in Venezuela.
The return of emigrants, as well as the protection of territory and the return of Venezuela among the democratic nations of the world, are fundamental objectives of this new stage, as is the need for justice to be done for the crimes against humanity committed by the previous regime.
This book brings together the testimonies of dozens of Venezuelans who know the horrors of the previous regime well because they have stood up to it in various ways. Each of these stories reflects and exemplifies many others like them—stories of pain and abuse, but also of light, strength, courage, and hope.
160 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 21, 2026
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May 1, 2026
Well, one thing is certain, you cannot accuse Maria of using AI because at least AI would have come up with an actual plan.
We open the book with an incredibly disingenuous revision of history. The fact of the matter is that both the left and the right got Venezuela to where it is today, but according to Maria this was all just some demonic plan by chavez to make everyone poor and miserable.
Maria claims that Venezuela was basically paradise before Chavez. That everyone was free and happy and democracy thrived. She doesn't seem to care that almost every president in Venezuelan history was engulfed in scandal or that the two party system of the 90s systemically disenfranchised voters. She doesn't seem to really think Venezuela was so bad during the Caracazo or even want to know why not only Chavez but multiple groups tried to coup the previous govenrment. No it was PERFECT for her.
And the reason that she views the old Venezuela as perfect can be found in her own words. Maria was born with privledge and access. She was allowed to have an amazing career, because her family simply owned the business that would employ her. Chavez was born in a house with a dirt floor and walked to school with no shoes as a child. I wonder why they had different opinions of Venezuela?
Now, this is no defense of Chavez. To be sure, the country has been turned into an authoritative state which has accelerated under Maduro. But you won't hear Maria explain how the coup that almost killed Chavez played a role in it. You won't hear her blame the right for purposefully trying to destroy the economy first with the national strike and then by pleading for international interventions and sanctions. No, according to Maria her and her camp are angels that have never played a role in the downfall of Venezuela. Chavez just loved being a dictator, right?
The fact of the matter is that the situation is messier than that. Why did Chavez come to power? Because the system didn't work. Why did he become authoritarian? Because they tried to kill him!
One thing does not excuse the other, but give me a break with this revisionist history.
Next, lets talk about her plan. Or lack thereof. The actual manifesto itself, the plan to fix a country in absolute crisis, is about 4 pages and feels like a high schooler wrote it.
What do you want to do with PDVSA? Who should and should not be prosecuted? How will people return home? What is the process for privatization? How much will be privatized? How will you reform the police? How much participation will actual Chavista voters (by her own account of the acts 30% of the country is still with PSUV) be able to participate in the new democracy? Will it be international or domestic companies taking over Venezuelas oil? Whats your plan for the post oil future?
Maria has no answer. She does not even pretend to. She has had 10+ years to think about her vision for Venezuela and all she can come up with is an unprepared and lackluster revision of history in which she takes zero accountability or responsibility for the 100 years of division that produced the failed state we have today. She has no plan. She is not prepared. She is duping the Venezuelan people.
We open the book with an incredibly disingenuous revision of history. The fact of the matter is that both the left and the right got Venezuela to where it is today, but according to Maria this was all just some demonic plan by chavez to make everyone poor and miserable.
Maria claims that Venezuela was basically paradise before Chavez. That everyone was free and happy and democracy thrived. She doesn't seem to care that almost every president in Venezuelan history was engulfed in scandal or that the two party system of the 90s systemically disenfranchised voters. She doesn't seem to really think Venezuela was so bad during the Caracazo or even want to know why not only Chavez but multiple groups tried to coup the previous govenrment. No it was PERFECT for her.
And the reason that she views the old Venezuela as perfect can be found in her own words. Maria was born with privledge and access. She was allowed to have an amazing career, because her family simply owned the business that would employ her. Chavez was born in a house with a dirt floor and walked to school with no shoes as a child. I wonder why they had different opinions of Venezuela?
Now, this is no defense of Chavez. To be sure, the country has been turned into an authoritative state which has accelerated under Maduro. But you won't hear Maria explain how the coup that almost killed Chavez played a role in it. You won't hear her blame the right for purposefully trying to destroy the economy first with the national strike and then by pleading for international interventions and sanctions. No, according to Maria her and her camp are angels that have never played a role in the downfall of Venezuela. Chavez just loved being a dictator, right?
The fact of the matter is that the situation is messier than that. Why did Chavez come to power? Because the system didn't work. Why did he become authoritarian? Because they tried to kill him!
One thing does not excuse the other, but give me a break with this revisionist history.
Next, lets talk about her plan. Or lack thereof. The actual manifesto itself, the plan to fix a country in absolute crisis, is about 4 pages and feels like a high schooler wrote it.
What do you want to do with PDVSA? Who should and should not be prosecuted? How will people return home? What is the process for privatization? How much will be privatized? How will you reform the police? How much participation will actual Chavista voters (by her own account of the acts 30% of the country is still with PSUV) be able to participate in the new democracy? Will it be international or domestic companies taking over Venezuelas oil? Whats your plan for the post oil future?
Maria has no answer. She does not even pretend to. She has had 10+ years to think about her vision for Venezuela and all she can come up with is an unprepared and lackluster revision of history in which she takes zero accountability or responsibility for the 100 years of division that produced the failed state we have today. She has no plan. She is not prepared. She is duping the Venezuelan people.
April 1, 2026
This is a really important read, especially at the moment. Clearly Venezuela is in the news, but I also think Americans could benefit a lot from reading this. Although there are differences, it provides insights into how people give up their freedoms- not willingly and not all at once but by slow steps that suddenly make it impossible to go back to how things were. Not only does this include Machado’s own notes and experiences but it also shares voices from various people impacted by the changing government regime. The hardest were obviously the ones of loved ones of those who’d been killed.
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley.
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley.
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