Lina is Venezuelan and is 67 years old. Among them, he has lived in Spain for 18 years. He admits to having left his country “for political reasons”. A geologist by profession, she was fired along with 21,000 others in 2003, under the government of Hugo Chávez. He … reason: “Demonstration”, he explains to ABC, while waiting for the start in Madrid of the March for Peace and Freedom, called by the Sale Venezuela party, led by the opposition. Maria Corina Machado.
The quote is global. The organization managed to involve 130 cities from more than 31 countries, explains José Antonio Vega, one of the coordinators of the Vzla Spain command. A large influx was expected. “Bigger than previous calls,” says Gabriela Olavarría, another coordinator, who recognizes that people “are afraid to go and join their families” who are still in Venezuela. Fear of repression from the regime which has imprisoned a thousand people for dissent.
This Saturday the death of the former governor of the state of Nueva Esparta was known with precision Alfredo Diaz during an “unjust sentence” in the El Helicoide prison in Caracas, as reported by the Democratic Unitary Platform, on its account on the social network
“But we are so close to freedom that people have overcome their fear,” says Gabriela, who defines this march as a “symbol of peace and hope for Venezuelans.” It is not a celebration, but rather a recognition of 27 years of struggle” that Chavismo brought to power. A struggle “not only led by María Corina Machado”, although it recognizes that the Nobel Peace Prize approves the work of the leader of the opposition. Another historic dissident, Leopoldo Lopezled the march through the streets of Madrid.
Regarding the announcement this Saturday by the Nobel Institute of Machado’s trip to collect the prize, a mystery that has hovered since the awarding of the prize, Gabriela is cautious: “We have no proof. “It’s a question of safety, which is the priority.” Vega, for its part, treats this information with “caution and responsibility”. Details will be given in due time,” he said.
Lina, however, cannot hide her “excitement” about the possibility of Machado going to Oslo. Concerning the fairness of the price, he has no doubt: “Thanks to his leadership, our cause began to become known,” he emphasizes. This gave him visibility. “She brought our hopes together.”
The opposition Leopoldo López leads the march in Madrid, where the image of María Corina Machado was very present and where posters against the Chavista dictator were abundant.
At her side is her husband, Bruno, 67, fired during the same purge as her. Asked about the possibility that Machado, in the event of her departure, could return to Venezuela, she assures that “if she could not, I would not judge her. “He spent a lot of time of his life, his message will continue to be valid.” “She made us understand all the danger we face,” adds Lina, who also experienced the repression “first-hand.” “I have a military cousin detained for a year; and with my family there, I speak in codes because they check cell phones,” he explains. Words like “Trump” or “invasion” can lead to prison sentences.
“Thanks to his leadership, our cause began to be known. This gave him visibility. “She brought our hopes together.”
Elsewhere in the march, two women, both named Carolina, disagree on whether María Corina Machado is already out of Venezuela or not. One of them, aged 55, has been in our country for almost 25 years. “Chávez won, I saved and I came. “I didn’t see a good bottom.” Being the daughter of Spaniards made it easier for her to leave. Like many, he considers that the Nobel Peace Prize does not belong to a single person, “but to all the Venezuelans who participate in this fight.”
As we talk, someone from the organization distributes posters with slogans such as “The Nobel is ours,” “The Nobel is mine.” Among the sea of Venezuelan flags are others with slogans such as “The Nobel Prize belongs to those who are unjustly imprisoned”, “Just Peace”, “Peace and freedom in Venezuela” and “Maduro? Rotten!”.