CARACAS, Venezuela — On Friday, Venezuela’s government declared yet another investigation into opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, part of its ongoing attempts to hold her responsible for the economic sanctions imposed by the United States and other countries against Venezuela.
Machado is under scrutiny for her endorsement of a bill that was recently approved by the U.S. House of Representatives, which seeks to prohibit the federal government from contracting with any companies that engage with the Venezuelan regime.
The announcement from the Attorney General’s Office suggested that Machado’s statements “constitute the commission of crimes of treason against the country,” along with allegations of conspiracy with foreign nations and unlawful association. The official statement described the House bill as part of a strategy “to expand the catalogue of sanctions” against Venezuela.
This latest development follows the U.S. government’s recognition of opposition representative Edmundo González as Venezuela’s “president-elect,” a move that counters President Nicolás Maduro’s claim of having won the July election. Maduro’s administration has yet to present vote counts that substantiate his declared victory.
Machado emerged victorious in the primary organized by the prominent opposition coalition last year, receiving over 90% support. However, she was barred from participating in the July 28 election following allegations from Maduro’s government that she had been behind the economic sanctions imposed by the U.S. more than a decade ago, aimed at destabilizing his regime.
Additionally, Machado’s designated successor faced similar exclusion from the Unitary Platform opposition coalition, leading to the selection of González as the party’s candidate. Following the election, Venezuela’s National Electoral Council, which comprises individuals loyal to the ruling party, announced Maduro as the victor just hours after the polls closed. Unlike previous elections, detailed vote counts were not provided by the electoral authorities this time around.
However, the opposition coalition gathered data from 80% of the nation’s electronic voting machines and made it available online. Both González and Machado claimed that the voting records indicated the former diplomat won the election with double the votes of Maduro.
After facing legal challenges, González left Venezuela in September, seeking refuge in Spain after an arrest warrant was issued for him in connection with an investigation related to the vote tally sheets.
Venezuela’s upcoming presidential term is set to begin on January 10. In a recent post on X, Machado expressed her appreciation to the U.S. Congress for passing the bill, labeling it a “crucial step towards holding Maduro’s regime accountable.”
She emphasized the importance of continuing the struggle for freedom in Venezuela and collaborating to achieve a swift transition to democracy, envisioning a hopeful future for the region.