CARACAS – On Saturday, followers of Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado took to the streets in various cities across the globe to celebrate her recent Nobel Peace Prize win, just before the formal award ceremony slated for next week.

In cities such as Madrid and Utrecht, crowds gathered in solidarity with Machado, aiming to leverage the spotlight brought by her accolade to draw attention to Venezuela’s pursuit of democracy. Organizers anticipated similar demonstrations in over 80 global locations on the same day.

These rallies occur during a pivotal moment as Venezuela grapples with a prolonged crisis. The U.S., under President Donald Trump, has significantly ramped up its military presence in the Caribbean, repeatedly hinting at possible intervention on Venezuelan ground. President Nicolás Maduro perceives this as a direct challenge to his authority, a sentiment echoed by the opposition’s renewed vows to assume leadership of the nation soon.

In a video message shared on social media Tuesday, Machado stated, “We are in a period where our resolve, commitment, and organization face trials.” She emphasized, “Now, more than ever, our nation demands unwavering dedication because our years of struggle and the dignity of the Venezuelan people have been acknowledged with the Nobel Peace Prize.”

Machado was awarded the prize on October 10 for her tenacious efforts to facilitate a democratic shift in Venezuela, earning accolades as a woman who “keeps the flame of democracy alive in the face of encroaching darkness.”

Machado, 58, won the opposition’s primary election and intended to run against Maduro in last year’s presidential election, but the government barred her from running for office. Retired diplomat Edmundo González, who had never run for office before, took her place.

The lead-up to the July 28, 2024, election saw widespread repression, including disqualifications, arrests and human rights violations. It all increased after the country’s National Electoral Council, which is stacked with Maduro loyalists, declared him the winner despite credible evidence to the contrary.

González sought asylum in Spain last year after a Venezuelan court issued a warrant for his arrest.

Meanwhile, Machado went into hiding and has not been seen in public since Jan. 9, when she was briefly detained after joining supporters in what ended up being an underwhelming protest in Caracas, Venezuela’s capital. The following day, Maduro was sworn in for a third six-year term.