After more than ten months in exile, Machado returned to Venezuela

Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado returned to her homeland on Sunday after more than ten months in exile. She announced her arrival via the social media platform X, writing in Spanish, "I am here. With you." Machado did not disclose specific details regarding how she re-entered the country or provide information about her current location. Her return marks a significant shift in the nation's volatile political landscape, occurring shortly after United States military forces detained former President Nicolás Maduro in January. Supporters greeted Machado with enthusiasm upon her arrival. She was first photographed attending mass at a church in Barquisimeto, the capital of Lara state, located approximately 220 miles west of Caracas. Footage and photographs released by news organizations showed crowds surrounding her, embracing her and shaking hands during the religious ceremony at the Sanctuary of the Divine Shepherdess. Machado then traveled toward the capital, Caracas, in a motorcade accompanied by enthusiastic followers. Large crowds lined the route to welcome her. Late Sunday evening, she arrived in Caracas, where she waved to gathered supporters from the open roof of a vehicle. In a subsequent post on X, she described the moment as a night of reunion in their city, expressing hope for the reunification of families, the freedom of political prisoners, and the liberation of Venezuela. Edmundo González Urrutia, Machado’s ally and former presidential candidate, confirmed her return from abroad. He stated that it was a deeply moving and important day for Venezuelans because their sovereign voice had returned to lead and guide the political process. González announced that he intended to join her in Venezuela soon to help steer the country toward freedom. Sources within Machado’s party, Vente Venezuela, indicated that the 60-year-old politician had lived in exile in Panama. They reported that she had attempted to return to her home country at least seven times in recent months, but Venezuelan authorities blocked each attempt. Reports emerged suggesting that the United States played a role in delaying her return, although officials in Washington denied these allegations. Machado initially left Venezuela covertly in December 2025 under the cover of darkness using a speedboat. She traveled to Norway to accept the Nobel Peace Prize. Prior to her departure, she spent nearly a year hiding in safe houses to avoid arrest. This period of concealment followed the disputed 2024 presidential election, which resulted in a wave of arrests targeting opponents of the government. During that election cycle, Maduro’s government barred Machado from running despite her winning over 90 percent of the vote in opposition primaries held outside the official electoral system. Authorities charged her with fraud and tax violations, accusations she rejected as politically motivated. Instead, her ally González ran against Maduro. The election commission, closely linked to the ruling regime, declared Maduro the winner without publishing detailed voting results, while the opposition claimed victory for González. The political environment changed dramatically in January when US forces seized Maduro and transported him to New York to face criminal charges. The Trump administration subsequently supported Maduro’s former vice-president, Delcy Rodríguez, who took an oath as interim president. Rodríguez signed an oil agreement with the United States that grants American companies favorable terms. Trump has repeatedly praised his cooperation with Rodríguez. The US has sought to establish control over Venezuela’s oil extraction. Initially, Washington encouraged US oil firms to invest in the country, but companies were hesitant due to high costs associated with upgrading outdated infrastructure. By the end of August, both sides reached a deal giving the US oversight of 65 billion barrels of oil reserves in South America. In June, Machado expressed a desire to return to Venezuela to assist survivors of two devastating earthquakes that killed at least 6,500 people and left thousands missing. According to a Reuters report from that time, her wish to travel caused friction in Washington, with US government representatives reportedly asking her to postpone the trip. Many observers believed the US played a part in blocking her return given Trump’s satisfaction with Rodríguez’s leadership. However, Trump told reporters on Sunday that he was unaware of Machado’s entry into the country. He stated he hoped she was safe and called her a very nice woman. Trump previously noted in September that it was too early for democratic elections in Venezuela. Conversely, Machado has argued that only a serious, democratic government can provide the stability necessary for investors. Thousands of people demonstrated in Venezuela earlier in the week, demanding Machado’s return. Approximately 2,000 protesters gathered in Caracas, holding signs calling for new elections. Additional demonstrations took place in the western state of Tachira near the Colombian border. At the end of August, representatives of Rodríguez’s government and the opposition began talks regarding the country’s political future. Both sides reaffirmed their willingness to hold presidential elections, although Machado did not participate in those discussions. It remains unclear what specific plans Machado intends to pursue following her return, though she has previously signaled intent to run for president if new elections are scheduled.