María Corina Machado named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2025
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has been named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2025, recognizing her steadfast leadership in the fight to free Venezuela from what many consider a violent and corrupt dictatorship.
“A woman of faith who valiantly marches the streets of her homeland armed with the holy rosary and supported by countless courageous Venezuelans, Machado has stood firm against it all, defending the land of Bolívar. Her principled leadership is a beacon of hope, making our region and our world a better place,” wrote Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the magazine’s feature.
Other notable political figures on this year’s list include President Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Argentinian President Javier Milei and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Machado emerged as the leading figure of the Venezuelan opposition in October 2023 after securing a victory in the primary election with 93% of the vote. The primary was held to choose a unified candidate to challenge President Nicolás Maduro in the 2024 presidential election. However, the ruling socialist regime quickly disqualified her from running, fearing her overwhelming popularity would result in a decisive defeat for Maduro at the polls.
Machado threw her full support behind Edmundo González, the only opposition candidate permitted to run. Her endorsement proved critical in his success. According to a recent poll, nine of ten Venezuelans believe that González was the true winner of the July 2024 election, a position shared by a large number of countries, including the United States.
Despite widespread evidence that González had secured more than twice the number of votes as Maduro, the regime declared Maduro the winner. González was subsequently forced into exile, while Machado went into hiding.
Machado organized a wave of public demonstrations in the wake of the contested election results, but they were eventually curtailed due to severe government repression. Nearly 2,400 people were arrested, including protesters, opposition figures, journalists and human rights activists. At least 28 people were confirmed dead, and over 200 were injured during the crackdown. Human rights organizations report that the actual death toll is likely much higher, with some victims allegedly tortured to death in custody.
In his synopsis for Time, Rubio expressed confidence in Machado’s enduring commitment to democratic change.
“María Corina Machado, the Venezuelan Iron Lady, is the personification of resilience, tenacity, and patriotism. Undeterred by formidable challenges, she has never backed down from her mission of fighting for a free, fair, and democratic Venezuela,” he wrote. The phrase “hasta el final” [to the end] encapsulates her enduring legacy. Over the past year, her resolve has faced unprecedented challenges as she has bravely confronted the Maduro regime’s efforts to undermine the will of the Venezuelan people.”
