Rep. María Elvira Salazar, U.S. Representative for Florida’s 27th congressional district, posted a series of statements on October 10, 2025, highlighting her nomination of Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado for the Nobel Peace Prize and reflecting on Hispanic Heritage Month.
In an English-language post, Salazar stated: “Nominating @MariacorinaYA for the Nobel Peace Prize alongside my colleagues @Repcarlos, @MarioDB, and @SecRubio was an honor. Today, the world recognizes what Venezuelans have always known: she embodies courage, integrity, and an unbreakable love of freedom.” (October 10, 2025).
She echoed this sentiment in Spanish in a subsequent post: “Nominar a @MariaCorinaYA al Premio Nobel de la Paz, junto an mis colegas @RepCarlos, @MarioDB y @SecRubio, fue gran un honor. Hoy, el mundo reconoce lo que los venezolanos siempre han sabido: ella encarna el valor, la integridad y un amor inquebrantable por la libertad.” (October 10, 2025).
Later that day during Hispanic Heritage Month observances in the United States—which celebrates the histories and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America—Salazar reflected on her family’s experience fleeing Cuba. She wrote: “This Hispanic Heritage Month, we honor the courage of our parents and the ideals they carried in their hearts. They fled Cuba with nothing but faith, family, and hope. They taught me that socialism isn’t an idea, it’s a cage. And that freedom is never free. Now it’s our turn” (October 10, 2025).
María Corina Machado is a prominent Venezuelan opposition figure who has been recognized internationally for her advocacy for democracy and human rights in Venezuela.
Hispanic Heritage Month is observed annually from September 15 to October 15 to recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic Americans.
