On 24 October, the European Parliament awarded María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. 

Recognising Machado as the leader of Venezuela's democratic forces and González as its President-elect, European liberals stand with the people of Venezuela in their fight for freedom. 

International reports highlighted widespread electoral malpractice during the Venezuelan Presidential election in July, with opposition parties and diplomats presented clear evidence showing González as the legitimate winner of the election. 

Congratulations to María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia, laureates of this year’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.

Recognising Machado as leader of Venezuela's democratic forces and González as its President-elect, European liberals stand with the people of… pic.twitter.com/0kBMhgxOQA

— ALDE Party (@ALDEParty) October 24, 2024

In a Congress resolution adopted in October, European liberals demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all arbitrarily detained individuals in Venezuela, including opposition leaders and human rights defenders.  

ALDE Party regrets the National Electoral Council’s failure to ensure a transparent and credible election and believes González should be sworn in as President in January to acknowledge the Venezuelan people's strong desire for democracy. 

Established in 1988 to honour the legacy of Russian scientist and dissident Andrei Sakharov, the Sakharov Prize is the European Parliament’s yearly honorary award for individuals or groups who have dedicated their lives to the defence of human rights and freedom of thought. 

On behalf of the global liberal family, we congratulate @MariaCorinaYA & @EdmundoGU from @VenteVenezuela (LI member party) on winning the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought!

This recognition by the @Europarl_EN underscores their unwavering fight for democracy in 🇻🇪. pic.twitter.com/e3lm9ubX7p

— Liberal International (@liberalinternat) October 24, 2024