On July 28, 2024, Venezuelans headed to the polls in a crucial presidential election—one that many hoped would mark a turning point in the country’s long struggle for democracy and freedom and the end of Nicolás Maduro’s authoritarian rule.
In the days running up to the election, friends of Atlas Network from Venezuela predicted a commanding victory for the country’s democratic opposition, with Edmundo González as its candidate. In the hours after polls closed, precinct results were read aloud throughout the country, indicating an overwhelming defeat for the Maduro dictatorship. But late that night, Venezuela’s election authority appeared on national television and declared Maduro the election victor, contrary to the evidence.
Maduro’s brazen election fraud marks one of the most blatant power grabs in Latin American history. He has failed to produce any proof that he won the votes, and estimates suggest that González won by a landslide, securing about 67% of the vote. As of now, Maduro still maintains his grip on power, with more than 2,200 Venezuelan opposition members imprisoned for opposing his rule. The country has been impoverished under his reign, forcing millions of Venezuelans to flee.
Despite his claim to a third term, the election’s legitimacy was immediately challenged by independent observers, democracy advocates, and Venezuela’s freedom movement. A long-time friend and ally of Atlas Network, María Corina Machado, often referred to as “The Iron Lady of Liberty,” played a pivotal role in exposing the truth. A fearless advocate for liberal democracy, she has spent over two decades fighting authoritarian rule and mobilizing Venezuelans against corruption.
With support from Atlas Network, pro-freedom organizations in Venezuela ensured the world and fellow Venezuelans learned the truth about the real results of the election. As opposition leader, Machado had organized an unprecedented effort to meticulously document voting tallies around the country, demonstrating that Maduro had lost the people’s trust. Though he clings to power, Venezuela’s freedom movement remains active, standing against his repression and proving that the fight for liberal democracy is far from over.
The Freedom Movement Fought for Transparency
Led by Machado, Venezuelans came together in efforts to restore trust and democratic values in their country. Even after being banned from the presidential race, she remained at the forefront of the movement, determined to free Venezuela from Maduro’s regime. Alongside the Venezuelan people, she built a movement that demolished the divisions imposed by those in power and reignited a vision for a free Venezuela.
To ensure their efforts were strategically organized and had credible leadership, the movement spent over a year preparing for the election. They analyzed the regime’s anticipated electoral manipulations and developed a plan to counteract fraud. Determined to protect the integrity of the election, thousands of volunteers mobilized across the country, monitoring and defending the vote. Independent observers were deployed, and real-time accurate vote counts (recorded on constitutionally mandated tally sheets) were collected and made publicly available. Digital platforms played a crucial role, allowing the movement to gather and publish real-time voting data for the world to see. As a result, they secured verifiable vote counts, exposing the truth behind the election and demonstrating that the Venezuelan people had rejected Maduro’s rule.
Why the Election Mattered
Venezuela has been trapped in a deepening crisis, and the situation remains dire in the hands of a corrupt socialist dictatorship. Once a wealthy nation, Venezuela has suffered economic collapse and hyperinflation resulting in mass emigration for more than a decade, causing a demographic collapse that further weakens an already struggling economy. The 2024 election was a chance for Venezuelans to reclaim their nation from dictatorship and welcome millions of Venezuelans back home to a freer country that could once again become prosperous.
The Aftermath: How the Nation Reacted
After Maduro was declared the winner, the country erupted in protests and outrage. Venezuelans flooded the streets, demanding transparency and the release of the full electoral data. But the government responded with immediate and violent repression.
Activists and opposition leaders were arrested and met with violence. Machado was attacked and briefly detained at a rally in January 2025. She is safe and free as of this writing and now administers her movement for freedom from hiding. This attack on “The Iron Lady of Liberty” sparked worldwide fears and outrage, with calls for accountability.
Machado and other activists go to great lengths and risks to fight for and defend freedom in Venezuela, standing resilient in the face of oppression. Atlas Network stands with courageous champions for freedom like Machado in Venezuela and in countries around the globe. Venezuela’s election may have been stolen, but the Venezuelan people’s determination to reclaim their liberty remains unshaken. The country now stands at a pivotal moment, with the freedom movement more unified than ever before. María Corina Machado has become a symbol of democratic resistance and advocacy on the international stage and a powerful voice for freedom in the region and throughout the world.
Atlas Network continues to support our friends in Venezuela through programs like the Rapid Response Fund, which delivers crucial support during crises and empowers organizations leading the fight against tyranny. Our support has enabled Venezuelan organizations to educate citizens on the ideas of individual liberty and economic freedom, concepts that many may not fully understand after decades of totalitarian dictatorship. This assistance has enabled groups to mobilize citizens and push for reforms, even in the face of authoritarian regimes. By equipping groups with the resources and strategic backing they need, Atlas Network helps sustain the momentum for lasting change and a freer future in Venezuela.
How Can You Show Your Support?
As you read this, the liberty movement in Venezuela is fighting for its rights, and the support of friends of freedom is more crucial than ever. Here’s how you can make a difference:
