María Corina Machado appealed to Israel for a military coup in Venezuela

In 2018, the Venezuelan leader surprised the world by asking for military support from Israel against the Maduro regime, in a gesture that divided allies and critics

To Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, laureate as o Nobel Peace Prizewas the protagonist of a controversial episode in 2018 when he directly requested the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahuone international military intervention in Venezuela. The request, made through a public letterwas also forwarded to the then president of Argentina, Mauricio Macriand published on social media that same year, generating strong political repercussions.

In the document, Machado stated that he had sent messages “to several of the world’s main leaders” to seek support in the UN Security Councilwith the aim of promoting “the adoption of effective protection measures for Venezuela by promoting a change of government”. According to the leader, the situation in the country required a urgent response from the international communitygiven the worsening of the political and humanitarian crisis under the government of Nicolas Maduro.

The letter also made a direct appeal for Israel and Argentina use “their experience and influence to advance a correct and urgent decision” in relation to Venezuela. The text reinforced the defense of a coordinated and firm action of an international naturewhich could put pressure on the Chavista regime and pave the way for a political transition.

Machado described the international community as the “last resort” of the Venezuelan opposition, given the blockade imposed by the Maduro government on any attempt at internal dialogue. The leader stated that the lack of democratic channels and the persecution of opponents made global mobilization necessary to ensure the restoration of freedom and democracy in the country.

Two years later, in 2020María Corina Machado once again strengthened ties with the Israeli government by sign a cooperation agreement with the Likud partyparty led by Netanyahu. The document, signed by Machado and Eli Vered Hazanrepresentative of the Likud Foreign Affairs Division, envisaged exchanges on “political, ideological and social” topics, in addition to dealing with strategic, geopolitical and security issues.

The initiative reinforced the political and ideological alliance between the movement led by Machado and the Israeli party, consolidating a relationship that goes beyond the diplomatic field and is projected as part of the international strategy of the Venezuelan opposition.

The 2018 appeal and the agreement signed in 2020 reveal the María Corina Machado’s constant search for external support to confront the Nicolás Maduro regime — a stance that, for his supporters, symbolizes courage in the face of repression, but which, for his critics, represents a dangerous approach to foreign intervention in Venezuela’s internal affairs.

With information from DCM*