Peru Reaffirms Support for Venezuelan Opposition Leader, Democracy
Peru’s Foreign Minister, Hugo de Zela, has publicly responded to a message from Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, acknowledging a recent meeting between the two. The exchange, conducted via X (formerly Twitter), underscores Peru’s continued support for a democratic transition in Venezuela.
Machado Parisca wrote, “Dear Foreign Minister de Zela, what an emotion to be able to meet you in person, embrace you and convey my gratitude for the support that the Peruvian people and your government have given us in our struggle for democracy and freedom.” She also expressed appreciation for Peru’s hospitality towards Venezuelan citizens seeking refuge and opportunity.
“We are determined to move forward as soon as possible towards a real transition to democracy so that all Venezuelans can return home and together rebuild our nation,” Machado added. “Very soon we will have the honor of receiving you in Venezuela!”
In response, Minister de Zela expressed gratitude for Machado’s words and reaffirmed Peru’s “fraternal support” for the Venezuelan people in their pursuit of democracy. “Dear María Corina, I especially thank you for your generous words. It was an honor and a great satisfaction to share a meeting with you and reaffirm, from friendship and sincere respect, our commitment to freedom, democracy, human rights and the well-being of the brotherly Venezuelan people,” he stated.
“In this decisive stage, you can count on our fraternal support so that the citizens of Venezuela recover their democracy and full development in freedom and regain control of their future,” de Zela concluded.
Canciller Hugo de Zela: Querida María Corina, agradezco de manera muy especial tus generosas palabras. Fue un honor y una gran satisfacción compartir un encuentro contigo y reafirmar, desde la amistad y el respeto sincero, nuestro compromiso con la libertad, la democracia, los… https://t.co/vVkuyzpY1z
— Cancillería Perú🇵🇪 (@CancilleriaPeru) February 7, 2026
Machado Believes Elections Could Be Held in Venezuela Within a Year
María Corina Machado believes democratic elections in Venezuela could be possible in less than a year, despite not yet having discussed a specific timeline with U.S. President Donald Trump, according to a recent interview with Politico.
“We believe that a real transition process with manual voting… the entire process could be completed in nine or ten months. But, well, that depends on when it starts,” Machado said. She was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize and is currently based in the United States.
Following the capture of Nicolás Maduro during a U.S. Operation in Venezuela on January 3rd, the Trump administration has established relations with the Venezuelan government led by Delcy Rodríguez, reportedly placing Maduro under its control.
Machado, who met with Trump in January and presented him with her Nobel medal, explained to Politico that she has not yet discussed an electoral calendar with the President, but remains optimistic about the prospect of elections.
“We have a democratic culture, a solid democratic culture. We have an organized society. We have legitimate leadership with great popular support, and our armed forces also support the transition to democracy,” she stated.
The most recent presidential elections in Venezuela were held on July 28, 2024, with Maduro declared the winner by Venezuelan authorities, despite allegations of fraud from the opposition and several countries. Those countries recognized Edmundo González Urrutia, backed by Machado, as the legitimate winner.
Machado, who has expressed her desire to return to Venezuela as soon as possible, cited those elections as evidence of the Venezuelan people’s desire for free and fair elections.
“If we were able to do that in such extreme conditions, imagine now, when we have the support of the United States government, when people feel that we are not alone,” she concluded.
