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Up First from NPR

Nobel Laureate Maria Corina Machado on Regime Change in Venezuela

11 Oct 2025

Transcription

Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?

2.512 - 18.512 Ayesha Rascoe

Now, a special bonus episode of Up First. It's a conversation with the winner of this year's Nobel Peace Prize from an undisclosed location as she continues to fear for her safety at the hands of Venezuela's ruling party. That's in just a moment.

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24.533 - 34.946 Unknown

This message comes from WISE, the app for international people using money around the globe. You can send, spend, and receive in up to 40 currencies with only a few simple taps.

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Chapter 2: What does Maria Corina Machado say about receiving the Nobel Peace Prize?

34.966 - 41.333 Unknown

Be smart. Get WISE. Download the WISE app today or visit WISE.com. T's and C's apply.

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42.455 - 63.477 Ayesha Rascoe

The committee says she is, quote, one of the most extraordinary examples of civilian courage in Latin America in recent times. That committee is the Nobel Committee, and they are referring to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, whom they have honored with 2025's Nobel Peace Prize.

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64.177 - 79.212 Ayesha Rascoe

She's been in hiding since last year when Nicolas Maduro claimed victory in an election widely seen by independent experts as fraudulent. And she joins us now. Maria Corina Machado, congratulations.

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79.411 - 81.698 Maria Corina Machado

Thank you so much, Aisha. My pleasure.

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82.722 - 87.818 Ayesha Rascoe

What was it like to receive that phone call? Were you expecting it?

88.557 - 89.298 Maria Corina Machado

Of course not.

89.718 - 110.042 Ayesha Rascoe

Absolutely not. I'm still in shock. I think it's still unbelievable. Well, you have been shot at, targeted by federal prosecutors, banned from running for office. You are in hiding right now. Why stay in Venezuela when you can leave and rally the world to your cause?

111.136 - 131.693 Maria Corina Machado

Well, first of all, because I only conceived my life in freedom and in my country, in Venezuela. And secondly, because I believe I'm much more useful for our cause here, close to our people. The main asset we've had during these long years is precisely the will of the people.

131.673 - 155.419 Maria Corina Machado

Fortunately, we have these technology means nowadays that I can talk to you and millions around the world and leaders around the world and convey what's going on in Venezuela from here. And we're seeing that they are finally acting and supporting this cause. But at the end, this is an issue. The main issue here is the will of the Venezuelan people that was expressed

Chapter 3: Why does Maria Corina Machado choose to stay in Venezuela despite the risks?

544.417 - 558.951 Ayesha Rascoe

When the committee called to tell you that you'd won, you said, I'm just one person. What is your message to the average person out there who think, I'm just one person? What can I do to protect democracy?

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560.112 - 576.771 Maria Corina Machado

That's a super important question, Aisha, because I think that the main lesson that we have learned at Venezuelans during these long years is called responsibility. This has to do with you. And, you know, we have been building trust among each other.

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576.912 - 601.413 Maria Corina Machado

We have tearing down the barriers that the regime had built to divide Venezuelan society, but we have promoted and we have learned that it all depends on you, on the people. The people is not an abstract concept. It's made by millions of conscious citizens that understand that citizenship has to do with rights and duties. And I think this is a main lesson this generation has learned.

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601.433 - 632.447 Maria Corina Machado

And that's why I think that we will achieve freedom with a huge, huge cost, great pain. But there's no other generation in the history of Venezuela that values freedom, values being able to be and live in your country freely. and values family, having your family together, your children at home, as we do. From a cultural perspective, this is also a great threshold in our history.

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632.647 - 640.136 Maria Corina Machado

And for good, and for good, and for long, we are going to build institutions that I know that will last for centuries to come.

641.358 - 649.688 Ayesha Rascoe

That's Maria Karina Machado, winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. Thank you so much for joining us.

649.972 - 656.482 Maria Corina Machado

Thank you.

656.583 - 672.368 Ayesha Rascoe

My pleasure.

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