Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares sharply criticized the visit of Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado to Madrid. According to him, Machado, who arrived as a “leader of an ideological movement,” limited herself exclusively to meetings with representatives of right-wing and far-right parties, ignoring official Madrid. Albares emphasized that the Spanish government had previously offered her asylum at the embassy in Caracas, but she did not take advantage of this.
Criticism of one-sided contacts
In an interview with RNE, the Foreign Minister noted that Machado refused to meet with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, citing the inappropriateness of such a step. Instead, she held talks with Partido Popular leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo and Vox chief Santiago Abascal. Albares believes that this choice of conversation partners turns the visit into a political act rather than representing the interests of Venezuelans.
Response to accusations and Spain’s role
The minister recalled that Spain has repeatedly supported the Venezuelan opposition and provided asylum to its representatives. In particular, more than 250,000 Venezuelans have found refuge here, and figures like Leopoldo López and Edmundo González received protection at the Spanish embassy. Albares called criticism of the government unfair, stressing that Spain has done more for Venezuelans than any other country.
Reaction to public statements
The Foreign Minister also condemned criticism of Spanish institutions by Machado, noting that it is unacceptable to ask for assistance while simultaneously discrediting the host country. He pointed out that some public events related to the opposition leader’s visit were accompanied by unacceptable remarks. In particular, at a mass meeting with the Venezuelan diaspora in Madrid, singer Carlos Baute made racist slogans against Venezuela’s interim leader Delcy Rodríguez. Álvarez stressed that racism is not acceptable in Spain under any circumstances.
Context and repercussions
The minister assured that Spain’s policy towards Venezuela will remain unchanged: Madrid will continue dialogue with both the official authorities and the opposition, advocating for a peaceful and democratic resolution to the crisis. Unlike Partido Popular and Vox, which, according to Álvarez, have already chosen their preferred candidate for Venezuela, the Spanish government does not support either side and believes the choice should remain with the Venezuelan people.
In recent years, Spain has faced a rise in the number of migrants from Latin America, influencing the country’s social and political agenda. In this context, visits by opposition leaders and their contacts with local politicians attract particular attention. Similarly, as noted in the article about Malaga’s tourism sector, both domestic and international events often act as catalysts for broader discussions about integration and support for new communities — read more about the impact of migration processes on Spain’s regions.
According to El Pais, the situation surrounding Maria Corina Machado’s visit highlights the complexity of balancing support for the opposition with the need to maintain an open dialogue with all political forces.
