Analysis
The statement—*'No hay que tenerle miedo a la libertad. La libertad no es un regalo, es un derecho que nos pertenece a todos los venezolanos'*—echoes **Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)**, which guarantees liberty as an inherent right. Machado, a prominent opposition leader, consistently framed freedom as a **non-negotiable right** (not a government concession) in speeches during the 2014 *La Salida* protests, as corroborated by **media archives** (e.g., *El Nacional*, *BBC Mundo*). No evidence suggests the quote was misattributed or taken out of context.
Background
The 2014 protests in Venezuela, led by students and opposition figures like Machado, erupted over economic crises, insecurity, and authoritarianism under Nicolás Maduro’s government. Machado’s rhetoric often invoked **constitutional rights** (Venezuela’s 1999 Constitution, Articles 53–60) and international covenants to counter state repression. Her statement aligns with broader pro-democracy messaging from the period, including calls for political prisoners’ release and electoral transparency.
Verdict summary
María Corina Machado’s 2014 statement accurately reflects universal human rights principles and aligns with her documented advocacy during Venezuela’s protests.