what did maria corina machado do

Maria Corina Machado is a Venezuelan politician and activist known for her strong opposition to the governments of Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro. She co-founded Súmate, a vote-monitoring organization, and served as a member of the National Assembly from 2011 to 2014. Machado ran in the 2012 presidential opposition primary but lost. She played a leading role in organizing the 2014 protests against Maduro's government. In 2023, Machado won the opposition primary for the 2024 presidential election, but the government barred her from running. She went into hiding due to fears for her safety under Maduro's regime. Machado has received international recognition, including the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts promoting democratic rights and striving for a peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy in Venezuela. She also leads the political party Vente Venezuela and has been a key unifying figure in the divided Venezuelan opposition.