Maria Corina Machado returns to Venezuela after exile

Maria Corina Machado returned to Venezuela on Sunday after spending nearly a year outside the country and appeared at a church in Lara state, according to reports. Her team said she intended to continue by road to Caracas.

The opposition leader, who received the Nobel Peace Prize, announced her arrival through social media. Her representatives did not explain how she had entered Venezuela, following earlier unsuccessful efforts to return.

Machado left the country secretly in late 2025 to receive the prize in Norway after an extended period in hiding. Her return follows the removal of Nicolas Maduro by US forces in January and the installation of his former deputy, Delcy Rodriguez, as interim president.

Opposition continues push for an election timetable

Maria Corina Machado and her allies have been seeking a date for a presidential election. No date has been announced, while Rodriguez remains in office with support from US President Donald Trump's administration.

Trump said he had not known about Machado's arrival and indicated that Washington would maintain its backing for Rodriguez. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio linked the circumstances permitting her return to reconciliation negotiations supported by Washington.

A section of the opposition and the interim administration held another round of discussions this month. Their agenda included changes to the top court and electoral council before eventual elections; Machado's movement is outside those talks.

Her foreign affairs adviser, David Smolansky, said she planned meetings with relatives of political prisoners, people affected by June's earthquakes, international representatives and democratic movement leaders. He said she would work towards securing an election date.

Edmundo Gonzalez, the former presidential candidate supported by her movement and now living in Spain, said he expected to join her in Venezuela soon.

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