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Spain’s FM Accuses Machado of Putting Ideology Over Venezuela
(MENAFN) Spain's Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares launched sharp criticism Monday against Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, accusing her of prioritizing ideology over national representation during her high-profile visit to Madrid.
"She has chosen to act as an ideological leader and to meet only with one part of the political spectrum, with the Spanish far right, instead of as a representative of the Venezuelan people," Albares told a public broadcaster.
During her visit, Machado held meetings with conservative Popular Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo, far-right Vox leader Santiago Abascal, and Madrid regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso — while explicitly refusing any engagement with members of the ruling Spanish government. She described such a meeting as not "convenient," citing Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's recent summit with progressive leaders in Barcelona.
Machado, who won last year's Nobel Peace Prize before transferring it to U.S. President Donald Trump, also reportedly sought refuge at Spain's embassy in Caracas on a prior occasion. Albares disclosed that Madrid had extended an open-door offer, welcoming her "at any level." "I personally told her there would be no problem," he said, noting the offer was never taken up.
The minister dismissed Machado's attacks on the Spanish government as "completely unjustified," pointing to Spain's extensive track record of supporting Venezuelans — including granting protection to prominent opposition figures such as Leopoldo López and Edmundo González.
The visit was further clouded by controversy when racist chants targeting Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez erupted at a rally of Machado supporters in Madrid's Puerta del Sol, where a performer led the crowd in calling her a monkey.
"When Puerta del Sol is used for racist slogans, that has no place in Spain," Albares said firmly.
Venezuela's embassy in Spain issued an apology following the incident. Spain, home to one of the largest Venezuelan diaspora communities in Europe, has long positioned itself as a key refuge for opposition voices fleeing Caracas.
"She has chosen to act as an ideological leader and to meet only with one part of the political spectrum, with the Spanish far right, instead of as a representative of the Venezuelan people," Albares told a public broadcaster.
During her visit, Machado held meetings with conservative Popular Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo, far-right Vox leader Santiago Abascal, and Madrid regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso — while explicitly refusing any engagement with members of the ruling Spanish government. She described such a meeting as not "convenient," citing Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's recent summit with progressive leaders in Barcelona.
Machado, who won last year's Nobel Peace Prize before transferring it to U.S. President Donald Trump, also reportedly sought refuge at Spain's embassy in Caracas on a prior occasion. Albares disclosed that Madrid had extended an open-door offer, welcoming her "at any level." "I personally told her there would be no problem," he said, noting the offer was never taken up.
The minister dismissed Machado's attacks on the Spanish government as "completely unjustified," pointing to Spain's extensive track record of supporting Venezuelans — including granting protection to prominent opposition figures such as Leopoldo López and Edmundo González.
The visit was further clouded by controversy when racist chants targeting Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez erupted at a rally of Machado supporters in Madrid's Puerta del Sol, where a performer led the crowd in calling her a monkey.
"When Puerta del Sol is used for racist slogans, that has no place in Spain," Albares said firmly.
Venezuela's embassy in Spain issued an apology following the incident. Spain, home to one of the largest Venezuelan diaspora communities in Europe, has long positioned itself as a key refuge for opposition voices fleeing Caracas.
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