Overview
- María Corina Machado received Madrid’s Golden Key from Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida at Casa de la Villa on Friday, a top civic honor of the city.
- The mayor said the award recognizes her lifelong fight for freedom and expressed hope she will help achieve a free Venezuela.
- Machado thanked supporters, grew emotional as Venezuelans cheered outside, and pledged to return soon to press a decisive phase of the democratic effort.
- Her team set a Saturday schedule in Madrid with a press conference, the Community of Madrid’s Gold Medal from Isabel Díaz Ayuso, and a public gathering at Puerta del Sol.
- Left-wing parties criticized honoring a non–head of state, while city officials cited earlier exceptions and the 2022 removal of Vladimir Putin’s key to argue the practice has precedent and clear political meaning.