Why She Made the List
Her leadership highlights the close relationship between democratic resilience, political freedom and national security in countries confronting authoritarian rule.
Despite political bans and government pressure, she remains one of the most visible figures in the Venezuelan opposition movement, challenging the rule of Nicolás Maduro and campaigning for democratic elections.
Summary Bio
María Corina Machado is a Venezuelan opposition leader and one of the most prominent advocates for democratic reform in the country.
A former member of Venezuela’s National Assembly, Machado has spent years campaigning for political freedoms and institutional reform in the face of significant domestic challenges.