She travels the country in white, rosaries swinging from her neck. Women cry in her arms, men beg her for salvation. Stripped of her bodyguard last week by the government, she traversed the streets unprotected.
As she climbed onto the windshield of her battered car — her makeshift stage — supporters jostled to touch her. One passed her a hand-drawn portrait. Inside the frameless image, María Corina Machado was shielded by the Venezuelan flag and the arms of Jesus Christ.
“María!” yelled one supporter, “help us!”
Ms. Machado, 56, the newest leader of Venezuela’s opposition, has struck fear into the hearts of the country’s ruling party. In a matter of months, she has emerged from the political sidelines to build a powerful…
