He has been active in politics, in opposition to the governments of Venezuelan presidents Hugo Chávez and Nicolas Maduro.
Goicoechea was one of the main organizers of the Movimiento estudiantil venezolano (Venezuelan Student Movement) cited as a key factor in the rejection of Chavez's proposed constitutional changes in the December 2007 Venezuelan constitutional referendum.
Goicoechea cites his Cuban-born grandmother, a Castro opponent, as the inspiration for his political activism.