Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado has announced her return to Venezuela after spending nearly a year in exile, in a move described by the opposition as an important step toward political change and a democratic transition.
“I am here. With you,” Machado wrote on Sunday on the social media platform X, signaling her return to Venezuelan territory.
Opposition Supporters Welcome Machado
Machado’s spokespersons said she visited Santa Rosa Church in the city of Barquisimeto, about 400 kilometers west of the capital, Caracas, to give thanks to the Virgin Mary for her return to the country.
Supporters welcomed her with cheers as she entered the church. Videos posted by her team on social media showed some attendees becoming emotional, while Machado was also seen singing the national anthem alongside supporters during one stop on her journey.
The opposition leader continued toward the capital, where supporters greeted her in the town of Chivacoa in Yaracuy state. She was expected to stop in Carabobo and Maracay before reaching Caracas.
Machado, 60, had been living in exile in Panama and had attempted to return to Venezuela at least seven times without success, according to sources within her Vente Venezuela party. Opposition activists accused the authorities of preventing her return, while the Venezuelan government denied doing so.
Trump Comments on Her Return
US President Donald Trump said he was unaware of Machado’s return but expressed hope that she was safe.
“I don’t know anything about that, but I think she’s a very nice woman. She gave me her Nobel Prize, so how can I say anything else? And I hope she’s safe,” Trump told reporters.
Officials in the Trump administration denied obstructing her return but said they had sometimes advised her against returning because of security concerns.
Edmundo González Urrutia, Machado’s ally who is also living in exile, welcomed her return. In a post on X, he described her presence on Venezuelan soil as an important day for Venezuelans.
González Urrutia ran for president in place of Machado after authorities barred her from standing in the election. He maintains that he won the vote.
The Democratic Unitary Platform, the country’s largest opposition coalition, also welcomed her return. Opposition lawmaker Henrique Capriles described the development as good news for those seeking change.
Washington Sees an Opportunity for Democratic Transition
David Smolansky, Machado’s senior foreign policy adviser, described her return as a key step toward a democratic transition and free presidential elections.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said her return was a direct result of the reconciliation process backed by Washington. He urged political actors to support the ongoing talks, describing them as an important opportunity for Venezuela to achieve free and fair elections peacefully and establish a sustainable democracy.
Dinorah Figuera, head of the opposition delegation to the negotiations, also welcomed Machado’s return, describing it as a result of talks with the interim government.
Machado is returning to Venezuela following the reported arrest of former president Nicolás Maduro by US forces nine months ago. His vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, is serving as acting president.
Rodríguez has said elections will be held but has not announced a date. Reports indicate that no election date has yet been set.
The government and part of the opposition have begun talks on a transitional period, but Machado was not invited to participate. She has nevertheless said she does not want to obstruct the negotiations.
