---
title: "Venezuelan opposition leaders Machado, Gonzalez awarded Sakharov Prize"
description: "Oct 24 (Reuters) - The European Parliament on Thursday handed its annual Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Venezuelan opposition leaders Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez for \"representing the people of Venezuela fighting to restore freedom and democracy.\""
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Sakharov Prize"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-10-24-venezuelan-opposition-leaders-machado-gonzalez-awarded-sakharov-prize/"
published: "2024-10-24T12:31:50"
updated: "2024-10-24T12:31:52"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 142
---

# Venezuelan opposition leaders Machado, Gonzalez awarded Sakharov Prize

> Oct 24 (Reuters) - The European Parliament on Thursday handed its annual Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Venezuelan opposition leaders Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez for "representing the people of Venezuela fighting to restore freedom and democracy."

By Reuters · Published 24 October 2024, 14:31 SAST · Updated 24 October 2024, 14:31 SAST

## Key points
- In a plot twist worthy of a telenovela, Venezuela's presidential election saw the opposition claim victory for Gonzalez, only for the election board to crown Maduro once more, prompting Gonzalez to swap Caracas for a more tranquil life in Spain, while the European Parliament continues to champion the fight for democracy with its Sakharov Prize.
- Venezuela's July presidential election saw opposition claims of victory for Gonzalez, but Maduro was declared the winner.
- Gonzalez, now a fugitive, has fled to Spain amid ongoing political turmoil.
- European Parliament president praised Edmundo and Maria for their commitment to justice and democracy in Venezuela.
- The Sakharov Prize, recognizing defenders of human rights, was previously awarded to Iranian activist Mahsa Amini.

## Content

Venezuela held a presidential election in July, with the opposition publishing vote tallies it said show Gonzalez won a resounding victory. But the national election board declared incumbent Nicolas Maduro the winner, and Gonzalez – who is wanted by Venezuelan authorities – [fled](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL1N3KQ02O&linkedFromStory=true) to Spain.

"Edmundo and Maria have continued to fight for the free, fair, and peaceful transition of power and have fearlessly upheld those values that millions of Venezuelans and this parliament hold so dear: justice, democracy and the rule of law," European Parliament president Roberta Metsola said.

The Sakharov Prize was launched in 1988 and is awarded to individuals and organisations defending human rights and democracy.

Last year, the parliament [gave](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL8N3BP3GU&linkedFromStory=true) the prize to Iranian woman Mahsa Amini who died in police custody and the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement in Iran.

(Reporting by Lili Bayer, editing by Tassilo Hummel)