Venezuelan Opposition Leader Machado Returns Home... With U.S. Backing

Opposition Protests in Venezuela Demand Presidential Election
Trump Welcomes Machado: "The Person Who Gave Me the Nobel Prize"

AFP Yonhap News

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado secretly returned to the country on the 25th (local time), ending 11 months in exile. With Machado, the leading candidate in polls for Venezuela’s presidential election, back in the country, calls led by the opposition for a presidential election are expected to grow louder.

According to CNN, Machado announced her return that day in a post on X, the social media platform, saying, “I am here with you.” Photos also emerged showing Machado at a church in Lara state in western Venezuela. Machado had been living in exile in Panama for 11 months after leaving Venezuela last December to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. She had tried to return seven times since then, but each attempt failed because the U.S. government did not approve it.

This time, however, she is reported to have returned with the approval and support of the U.S. government. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said in a statement that day, “The circumstances that allowed Machado to safely return to Venezuela are a direct result of the U.S.-backed reconciliation negotiations.” He stressed that “the negotiations have already led to the release of hundreds of political prisoners, and hundreds of opposition politicians have returned from exile.”

U.S. President Donald Trump also said he welcomed Machado’s return. “What more can I say about someone who gave me the Nobel Prize?” he said. “She is a very good woman, and I wish Machado safety. We are doing very well in Venezuela.”

Machado’s return is likely to further amplify opposition calls for Venezuela to hold a presidential election as soon as possible. Protests demanding an election have been held on a large scale across Venezuela since last weekend, led by the opposition. Machado is also expected to travel around the country and effectively begin campaigning.

David Smolansky, Machado’s chief adviser on foreign affairs, told Reuters that “Machado plans to meet with victims of the devastating earthquake that struck in June, the families of political prisoners, members of the international community and leaders of the pro-democracy movement.” He stressed that “Machado will work actively to set a date for free and fair elections.”

Within the Trump Administration, which has actively supported the government of Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, concerns are emerging that Machado’s return could destabilize some oil trade agreements with Venezuela. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that “some U.S. officials fear Machado’s return could trigger a conflict with interim President Rodríguez, potentially weakening oil agreements with the United States.” It added that “there are also concerns that the recent gradual reconciliation between Venezuela’s interim government and the opposition could fall apart.”

Meanwhile, some opposition factions and Venezuela’s interim government held talks earlier this month. The two sides are discussing measures such as reforming the Supreme Court and the election commission ahead of future elections. However, the political movement led by Machado is not taking part in the talks.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.