Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Machado has returned to her home country after spending more than 10 months in exile. Her arrival in Caracas follows a series of failed attempts to re-enter Venezuela, with advisors stating she was denied entry on seven separate occasions in recent weeks.
Machado, who won a decisive victory in a 2023 opposition primary, posted a brief message on X on Sunday confirming her presence. “I am here. With you,” she wrote. The announcement was quickly corroborated by her ally and former presidential candidate Edmundo González, who expressed relief that their leader was back on Venezuelan soil.
Arrival in Caracas
Upon landing, Machado was photographed attending Mass at a church in the Lara state. She was surrounded by supporters who hugged her and clasped her hands. She then joined a caravan of vehicles traveling to the capital, Caracas, where crowds lined the route to greet her. Photos showed her smiling as she leaned out of a sunroof late Sunday night.
Her return comes at a time of significant upheaval in Venezuelan politics. In January, US forces seized President Nicolás Maduro and transported him to New York, where he currently faces charges related to drug trafficking, weapons possession, and torture. Maduro has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following Maduro’s removal, the Trump administration initially backed his deputy, Delcy Rodríguez, as an interim leader. Rodríguez was sworn in and signed an oil deal that provided favorable terms to the United States. However, the political landscape has shifted again with Machado’s return.
US Role in Reconciliation
The United States played a central role in facilitating Machado’s return. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that her safe arrival was the direct result of US-supported reconciliation talks. These talks have already led to the release of hundreds of political prisoners and the return of numerous opposition figures from exile.
“We expect all political actors to support these talks which represent the best chance Venezuela has had in thirty years to peacefully achieve not just a free and fair election but an enduring democracy,” Rubio wrote on X.
Machado’s spokesperson, David Smolansky, thanked the Trump administration, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and allied governments for their support. He described her return as a major step toward democratic transition and verifiable presidential elections.
President Donald Trump spoke to reporters on Sunday, stating he was unaware of the specific details of her return but expressed hope for her safety. He noted their previous interaction, saying, “I think she’s a very nice woman. She gave me her Nobel Prize, so how can I say anything else?” Machado had visited the White House in January and presented Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize, a gesture the Nobel Committee later clarified could not be transferred.
It remains unclear what immediate political actions Machado will take upon her return. She has previously indicated she would run for president again if an election were held. Her ability to return was contingent on approval from the US government, which appears to have now been granted.
Source: BBC
