Hundreds of Venezuelan expatriates gathered in Panama City on Saturday, December 6, for a global march supporting peace and freedom. The demonstration was organized by opposition leader María Corina Machado days before she is set to receive the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. Participants walked from the city’s coastal beltway to Democracy Plaza, voicing their hopes for democratic change in their home country.
The event in Panama was part of a coordinated international action. Similar marches took place in major cities worldwide, amplifying a message of solidarity just before the prestigious award ceremony in Oslo, Norway, scheduled for December 10.
A Message of Solidarity from Abroad
Chants of “Who are we? Venezuela. What do we want? Freedom,” echoed along the cinta costera. Attendees carried Venezuelan flags and signs expressing gratitude for Panama’s support. Many specifically highlighted the symbolic importance of Machado’s Nobel recognition for the diaspora community.
Ricardo Contreras, a representative from the CONVZLA Panama Command, spoke to local media at the event. He explained the gathering’s purpose was to show pride in their fellow Venezuelan’s achievement.
“We want to show the world that we are proud to have a Nobel Prize winner who is a person who has fought for peace, freedom, and hope not only for Venezuela but for an entire region.” [Translated from Spanish]
Contreras’s sentiment was repeated throughout the peaceful march. Other participants shouted, “Long live a free Venezuela, all the way with María Corina Machado,” uniting the crowd under a common cause.
Machado’s Call for a Global Demonstration
In her initial call to action, María Corina Machado framed the global marches as a direct response to the government of Nicolás Maduro. She accused the administration of trying to downplay the significance of the Nobel award. Machado urged supporters to create a visible, global counterpoint.
“This Saturday we have a great opportunity, we are going to reaffirm this message in the march for peace and freedom. While the regime tries to hide this incredible achievement, that recognition that the entire world gives to us Venezuelans, we are going to light a light in the main cities of the world. Every torch, every candle, every light will be a cry for the peace and freedom of Venezuela.” [Translated from Spanish]
The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded Machado the peace prize in October. They cited her tireless work promoting the democratic rights of the Venezuelan people. Her struggle for a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy was a key factor in their decision.
Official confirmation came on November 14. The committee announced Machado would travel to Oslo to accept the award in person. This news galvanized her international support base to organize the December 6 demonstrations.
International Support and Next Steps
The march in Panama underscores the country’s role as a hub for the Venezuelan diaspora. It also reflects growing diplomatic support for Machado’s cause within the region. Panama’s President, José Raúl Mulino, has confirmed he will attend the Nobel award ceremony in Norway.
He will be joined by the presidents of Paraguay and Ecuador, Santiago Peña and Daniel Noboa. Their planned attendance signals a notable level of regional political backing for the opposition figure. This development is closely watched by analysts observing the complex political situation in Venezuela.
For the participants in Panama, the march was a moment of poignant hope. It connected their daily lives in a foreign land to a pivotal event for their homeland’s future. The gathering served as both a celebration of Machado’s Nobel achievement and a renewed call for democratic change.
All eyes now turn to Oslo for the December 10 ceremony. The event will formally honor corina machado on the world stage. Meanwhile, the echoes of Saturday’s chants for freedom in Panama City will continue to resonate within the diaspora community.