The Cuban community in South Florida on Monday is honoring the recent Nobel Peace Prize winner, Venezuelan civic leader María Corina Machado.
The American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora held a press conference at 1200 Coral Way to celebrate Machado’s nomination and win for the Peace Prize.
During a panel comprised of local officials and presidents of South Florida universities gathered together to celebrate the Nobel Peace Prize recognition of Machado.
On Aug. 17, 2024, the museum initiated her nomination, and it was supported by Miami-Dade College President Madeline Pumariega, as well as the presidents from Florida International University, St. Thomas University and Barry University.
“Of course, we have been following her as a beacon of hope and prosperity for several years, and what’s happening in Venezuela is happening in other countries around the world,” Pumariega said. “And as educational leaders, we understand the importance of education, as these dictatorships they do not promote education.”
Other supporters were also behind the Venezuelan democracy leader, including Maria Teresa Morin, with Vente, a group fighting for Venezuela’s democracy with Machado at the helm.
“A woman that has been fighting for the freedom of our country for many years, and we are more than happy, we know that freedom is really just getting close to Venezuela, freedom is arriving, peace is arriving to our country,” she said.
Machado was selected amongst 336 nominations by the Norwegian Nobel Committee for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for Venezuelans and for her work in trying to achieve a peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.
Current U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott and several U.S. representatives supported Machado’s nomination.
The group in South Florida said they chose so that she can get more protection from the regime, and because her work in 2024 united millions towards democracy.
“No one simplified the goal of that prize more than Maria Machado,” said Marcell Felipe, president of the American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora. “She has put herself in a place that I think merits, and I think history is difficult to see when it’s being made, but when the dust settles ten years from now, we will see that she is the leader for Venezuela, only at the level at the great Simon Bolivar.”
Machado also shared a message from Venezuela.
“I want to give you all of my strength and thanks, because without you, it wouldn’t be possible to have this huge recognition for Venezuela become a reality,” she said.
She also said that the recognition is not just for Venezuela, but also for other countries like Cuba that are also under dictatorship.
Following Machado’s Peace Prize win, there has been chatter on whether President Donald Trump should be in the running for the prize.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted on X on Sunday, asked for President Trump to be given the award.
However, President Trump said late Friday that he and Machado spoke on the phone and had a nice conversation, and that he had been helping her along the way.
The president also noted that the prize was awarded for work done in 2024, so it remains to be seen if he will make the 2026 nomination list.
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