Transcript: María Corina Machado on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,” Dec. 14, 2025

The next is the transcript of the complete interview with Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado that aired on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on Dec. 14, 2025. 

This interview was taped on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025.

MARGARET BRENNAN: We go now to María Corina Machado, Venezuelan opposition chief who joins us from Norway the place she simply obtained the Nobel Peace Prize. Welcome to ‘Face the Nation.’

MARÍA CORINA MACHADO: Thanks very a lot, Margaret. It is my pleasure.

MARGARET BRENNAN: You face arrest by the Maduro regime. I do know you went by extraordinary problem simply getting in a foreign country and to Norway. You mentioned you bought help from the US authorities to take action. Are you able to inform us what sort of help?

MACHADO: Truly, I favor to not give away any particulars, as a result of I don’t wish to enhance the chance on women and men that helped me to be right here. And the regime has been, , very merciless in opposition to these that previously have helped different Venezuelans flee the nation once they had been persecuted. So on this case, I do favor to guard them as a lot as attainable.

MARGARET BRENNAN: I perceive that. The pinnacle of the personal rescue group, who mentioned he helped you come out of Venezuela, spoke to my CBS colleague, Lilia Luciano, and mentioned smuggling you out was very excessive danger since you are so well-known. You traveled by land, by sea, by air. He mentioned a number of donors paid for it. Are you aware why it was so vital to them so that you can make it to Norway and obtain that prize?

MACHADO: Nicely, I frankly do not know. And as I say, I’m not going to provide extra info relating to my journey to Norway. However what am I going to say- how vital it’s for the Venezuelan individuals. This can be a recognition to a nation that has fought tirelessly, courageously in opposition to a prison, narcoterrorist construction and- and I got here to obtain that prize, that award, and I will carry it again house to the Venezuelan individuals as quickly as attainable.

MARGARET BRENNAN: You say you are going again house. I do know you despatched your individual kids out of Venezuelan territory with the intention to defend them, your sons, your daughter. I learn you hadn’t even seen your daughter in 16 months. That is an unimaginable sacrifice for anybody. Are they involved that you simply plan to return to Venezuela? When are you going?

MACHADO: After all, they’re involved as another Venezuelan baby that has their dad and mom or kinfolk again in our nation, as a result of the regime, as I mentioned, has persecuted, tortured, killed, disappeared, hundreds of Venezuelans, and lately it has turned much more violent as a result of, when, when a prison regime is falling aside they usually know their days are numbered, they flip much more aggressive, much more violent. Simply a few weeks in the past, a 16 yr previous lady was kidnapped and brought away to jail simply because they had been searching for her brother, and since they could not discover her brother, they took Samantha. So that is the sorts of actions which can be presently taking place in my nation. So sure, my household is worried, however they know I’ve mentioned that I might be the place I’m extra helpful to our trigger, and that is precisely what I will do.

MARGARET BRENNAN: You imagine it is vital to assist the trigger from contained in the nation proper now. Are you able to assist us perceive what’s going on, as a result of we’re seeing right here within the US a rise within the strain marketing campaign. Extra sanctions on Venezuelan people and vessels. We noticed an armed seizure of a vessel carrying oil out of Venezuela. Promoting oil on the black market is basically vital cash for the Maduro regime. Do you endorse this concept of extra seizures and presumably even a blockade?

MACHADO: Look, I completely help President Trump’s technique, and we, the Venezuelan individuals, are very grateful to him and to his administration, as a result of I imagine he’s a champion of freedom on this hemisphere. And that is why, and I say this from Oslo proper now, I had devoted this award to him as a result of I believe that he lastly has put Venezuela in the place it needs to be, by way of a precedence for the US nationwide safety. And we do help these actions, as a result of, Margaret, we face, not a standard dictatorship. This can be a very advanced prison construction that has turned Venezuela right into a protected haven of worldwide crime and terrorist actions, beginning with Russia, Iran, Cuba, Hezbollah, Hamas, the Colombian guerrilla,  the drug cartels working freely and directed in partnership with Maduro and his regime. And as each prison construction is suffers, is when the inflows from their prison actions are lower. And these, within the case of Maduro regime, comes from the oil black market to drug trafficking, gold smuggling, arm smuggling, even human smuggling and trafficking. So that is what we imagine, it was so vital to use, , legislation enforcement, and we have now been asking this for years, so it is lastly taking place. That is why I imagine the regime has its days numbered.

MARGARET BRENNAN: It sounds such as you help extra sanctions and presumably extra seizures of oil, however is not there a danger that reducing off cash will additional damage the already impoverished individuals of Venezuela? Is not {that a} danger?

MACHADO: After all. What we’re doing is for the nicely being of the Venezuelan individuals. What we wish to do is to save lots of lives, however Maduro was the one who declared a battle on the Venezuelan individuals. A battle we did not need. A battle we’re struggling with tons of of hundreds of killings and compelled executions within the final years. And proper now, I wish to be very clear with the worldwide group, the assets Maduro will get usually are not going to colleges or hospitals in Venezuela a trainer earns $1 a day. Pensions are lower than $1 a month. Our kids go twice every week to high school. The sources, the money the regime will get from these unlawful actions goes to purchase arms, to pay gang members to spy and infiltrate and to even additional enhance their unlawful narcotics actions and so forth. So these assets usually are not going for, to- in the direction of the individuals. They are going for corruption and crime.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So it sounds such as you need much more seizures and a blockade. Is that appropriate?

MACHADO: We wish each authorized motion by legislation enforcement a- method, not solely from the US, additionally from different Caribbean, Latin American and European international locations that additional block the unlawful actions of the regime. Why? As a result of we have to enhance the price of staying in energy by power. When you arrive to that time by which the price of staying in energy is increased than the price of leaving energy, the regime will collapse, and it is the second the place we, , advance right into a negotiated transition. Which is what at first we provided Maduro once we gained the presidential election by landslide final yr, however he not solely refused that choice, however he, as , unleashed the worst, most brutal repression wave we have seen in our historical past.

MARGARET BRENNAN: And eight million Venezuelans have fled–

MACHADO: That is appropriate.

MARGARET BRENNAN: –since he got here to energy throughout that point, however by way of the diplomacy, President Trump spoke with Maduro himself final month. We’ve not seen any proof although, that diplomacy, a negotiated exit such as you talked about, is going on. Are you seeing diplomatic success?

MACHADO   Nicely, within the final years, Venezuela has seen 17 dialog initiatives, not as soon as, not twice, 17. Each single time the opposition or our allies or the US have complied with each single factor we provided, the regime of the nation has violated each single factor they provided on their very own half. What did they get? They obtained time, they obtained legitimacy, they obtained cash, and that is exactly what they suppose they’ll get once more, as soon as once more. However actually, issues have modified very a lot within the final months, Venezuela is whole completely different nation. I imply, Maduro is weaker than ever. The Armed Forces, police are actually divided and fractured, and our nation is united, cohesive, and we lastly have the administration, on this case, President Trump with a transparent technique that really represents a reputable menace for the regime. So if we had ever had an opportunity to lastly transfer forward into, in the direction of democracy in our nation, it is right this moment.

MARGARET BRENNAN: What proof do you’ve got that the navy is weaker than ever? Was your escape proof of that?

MACHADO: Nicely, initially, we have now the proof that the broad majority of the navy need change, and that was- we noticed that on July 28, 2024, that the navy had been ordered to expel our electoral witnesses from the polling stations and to disclaim our proper to the unique tally sheets they usually disobeyed that order. Even in these polling stations the place we all know there’s a excessive participation of navy, we gained by a landslide. Extra lately, we have seen an increasing number of members of the navy discovering methods to attach with us, to ship messages to, to, to indicate that they’re feeling the identical of what the remainder of the nation is feeling. When, once they, this navy return house, they discover their kids, their mom, their companions, saying that they’re hungry, that they’re persecuted, that their households have been divided. They’re scared. Sure, they’re scared, as a result of repression and persecution within the navy is even harder than on civilians.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So President Trump mentioned that land strikes to cease drug trafficking particularly will begin quickly. He has been saying that for weeks. Are you aware what he’s speaking about? Has he promised you something?

MACHADO: No, I do not know. And nicely, if I knew, I would not say it, in fact. However it’s not the case. We’re not concerned, and we is not going to get entangled into one other nation’s coverage for their very own nationwide safety.

MARGARET BRENNAN: However would you welcome U.S. navy motion?

MACHADO: I’ll welcome an increasing number of strain in order that Maduro understands that he has to go, that his time is over. And I’ll insist one thing that I’ve mentioned a number of occasions earlier than, this isn’t standard regime change. This can’t be in comparison with different instances, like international locations within the Center East, we had an election. Regime change was already mandated by over 70% of the inhabitants, and what we want is help to implement that call.

MARGARET BRENNAN: How do you sq. navy motion with receiving a peace prize? Are we on the level it is necessary?

MACHADO: What we’re combating for is exactly freedom with the intention to have democracy and democracy, with the intention to have peace. And with the intention to keep freedom and to realize freedom, you do want energy. The opposite can be the peace of the useless, by which you’ve got a rustic below absolute oppression and easily given in. And that is not the case. It is completely absurd that you simply see a regime, a prison regime like Maduro, that will get help from Russia or from Iran after which as a profit to unknown individuals, to not ask help from democratic international locations and Democratic leaders, that is absolute, absurd. We don’t have arms. We have now our will. We have now the facility of group and the facility of affection, which on the finish, I’ve to say that peace is in the end an act of affection.

MARGARET BRENNAN: The regime itself has executed a variety of issues. They’ve revoked TV licenses for journalists to broadcast, broadcast honestly. He has jailed journalists. The United Nations says the Nationwide Guard focused political opponents, dedicated sexual violence, tortured individuals and dedicated different crimes in opposition to humanity. So from the place you sit is Maduro stepping down sufficient? Or do you want the complete regime dismantled? Through which case that feels like a rustic in collapse.

MACHADO: That is an excellent query, as a result of actually Maduro is the pinnacle of the construction, but it surely’s like another mafia system. You’ve got households or teams that function and generally even compete amongst one another. There are completely different levels within the crimes they’ve dedicated, actually people who have dedicated crimes in opposition to humanity which were reported by the very fact discovering missions of the United Nations ought to face justice, native justice and worldwide justice. There are different members of the regime or the armed forces which have dedicated lesser crimes. And positively we are going to seek for justice, not revenge. However this, I will insist, what we’re dwelling proper now’s chaos. Maduro characterize chaos. We’ll put order. And this entire concept, , individuals speaking a few danger of a civil battle and so forth. Whoever says that has no concept in any respect about what Venezuela is. I imply, we’re actually essentially the most cohesive society within the area, I might dare to say, maybe on this planet. I imply, Venezuelan society has no spiritual, social, regional, racial confrontations or tensions on the nation. 90% of our inhabitants need the identical, need the regime to go instantly, and we wish to work exhausting to reside with freedom. We wish no extra socialism, however most of all, we would like our kids again house.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Understood, however respectfully, you even have acknowledged that the drug cartels are exploiting your nation, that Russia is exploiting your nation, Iran, Cuba, China. Simply yesterday, Vladimir Putin spoke with Maduro and mentioned their strategic partnership is rising. Are you involved right here that Russia goes to shore up help for the navy and intelligence?

MACHADO: Nicely, I am, I am completely satisfied that Putin desires the world to suppose that, particularly desires President Trump to suppose that, about that. However I might ask you a query, do you suppose Putin has assets to spare at the moment? Or does he has-something that is extra pressing for him to take a position these assets. I imply serving to a regime that it will collapse anyway, no matter what he does. I do not suppose it is a precedence for him. Nonetheless, I don’t underestimate what the residual actors of Chavismo may be planning on doing as soon as we’re in a transition to democracy. And that can require very environment friendly actions to isolate and neutralize these threats. And , we have work very exhausting to know what is the true nature of our armed forces proper now, figuring out these navy which we imagine may very well be supportive of a tran- transition to democracy and the brand new gov–

MARGARET BRENNAN: –Have they pledged that to you?

MACHADO: A few of them, sure, and we imagine that over 80% of our armed forces would be a part of and help the democratic motion as soon as the transition is in place.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So inform me about that transition. I- we checked and when Secretary Rubio was sworn into workplace, you had been one of many very first telephone calls that he made. On day two.

MACHADO: Me and President-elect Edmundo González, it was the 2 of us–

MARGARET BRENNAN: –That is proper, that is proper, he is deeply . So I am curious about what has been promised to you if and when Maduro and his regime go away, what sort of help do you might want to preserve the nation collectively to forestall one other refugee disaster? And do you’ve got that pledge from the American authorities now?

MACHADO: We’ll want a number of help, recommendation, info, expertise, not solely from the US, additionally from multilateral organizations, a few of which we’re already working collectively. Not solely in safety points however energy provide, meals provide. How can we carry, , put order in our monetary accounts? How can we restructure our debt? How we open markets for worldwide funding and provides safety to worldwide funding in oil, in gasoline, in infrastructure, vital minerals? I imply, Venezuela is exclusive by way of the quantity of the pure endowments we have now. And , we’re situated at three hours by aircraft from Florida. So it is exhausting to suppose, , on this shortening of the provision chains that’s within the near-shoring course of happening a greater ally within the area than Venezuela. And on the identical time, , turning Venezuela from the prison hub of the Americas right into a safety defend for the US and for the remainder of the area, is a high precedence for all. So, , we have now the plans prepared. We have now the groups prepared. We all know what we have now to do the primary 100 hours and the following 100 days. However most significantly, and I wish to insist on this, we have now the individuals. I imply, that is one thing that it’s- I’ve heard as soon as, again and again all evaluation go away the individuals on the aspect, when that is crucial power that we have now proper now. That is why we’re the place we’re proper now. And the Venezuelan individuals wish to transfer forward as soon as we conquered democracy again, would have cost- has value us so many lives, so many- a lot ache, that you will notice the nation taking good care of it. The individuals would be the primary supply of stability. However actually we glance ahead for- to cooperation with our primary allies. And naturally, our primary ally might be the US of America.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Would that embrace US peacekeeping troops or different troops on the bottom?

MACHADO: I can not reply that query proper now. I do not suppose that is the case. There are different international locations which have provided help as nicely with the intention to strengthen democratic establishments as soon as the government-elect is in place, however that we should tackle that after we have now the, , the government-elect in place and put so as, bringing order again to our nation. And one factor that you simply talked about earlier than concerning the, , the refugee disaster, it will be precisely the nation. The day Maduro goes, you will notice 10s of 1000s, tons of of 1000s of Venezuelan migrants coming again house from the US and everywhere in the world. I imply, our diaspora is determined to return to Venezuela. So even from that perspective, it’s a win, win state of affairs to have democracy in Venezuela.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Do you suppose it’s protected for these Venezuelans in America to return there now some momentary protected standing was simply revoked by the president for greater than half one million Venezuelans right here. Is it protected for them?

MACHADO: Completely not. Will probably be protected as soon as Maduro is gone, and each single citizen might be, , leaving freedom and respect in in the direction of the legislation. We’ll carry again rule of legislation. We’ll liberate our political prisoners, and all people might be free to talk out what they really feel, what they suppose, what they need for the longer term, of their very own future and their households.

MARGARET BRENNAN: María Corina Machado, we thanks to your time right this moment, and we’ll be watching.

MACHADO: I thanks, Margaret, for this nice alternative, and God bless Venezuela. Venezuela might be free.

MARGARET BRENNAN: We’ll be proper again.