María Corina Machado Returns to Venezuela After Nearly a Year in Exile

Oct 26, 12:32 AM2 min readCovered by 9 outlets

Drafted by AI from the sources below, fact-checked by the Ajako Taja Editorial Team · How we use AI

AI Summary

Opposition leader María Corina Machado has made a surprise return to Venezuela, appearing in Lara state after nearly a year in exile following the removal of Nicolás Maduro.

Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel laureate María Corina Machado returned to her home country on Sunday, appearing publicly for the first time since leaving in late 2025.

Machado, 59, announced her return on social media with the message, "I am here. With you." While she did not disclose her exact route, she was seen at a church in Lara state, west of Caracas, where supporters gathered to greet her. Her ally Edmundo González confirmed her arrival and stated he would join her soon, calling the return a vital step for the country's sovereign voice.

The homecoming occurs in a political environment currently led by acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who took power after U.S. forces deposed Nicolás Maduro in January. Fox News and The Guardian reported that the Trump administration has maintained a relationship with Rodríguez, and The Guardian noted that U.S. officials had reportedly opposed Machado's return due to concerns it could complicate that dynamic. Rodríguez has exceeded her authorized time as interim leader, and no elections are currently scheduled.

During her time abroad, Machado was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, a medal she recently presented to U.S. President Donald Trump. When asked about her return on Sunday, Trump told reporters he was unaware of the news but expressed hope for her safety, describing her as a "very nice woman." Machado’s team told CBS News that her return is intended to help advance a peaceful transition toward free and fair presidential elections.

According to France 24 and Al Jazeera, Machado's return follows national protests demanding democratic processes. Her party stated she had made at least seven previous attempts to return home but was blocked by authorities. Though the government considers her a fugitive, her presence is expected to shift opposition dynamics against the current administration.

Background

Machado covertly left Venezuela in December 2025 to accept her Nobel Peace Prize in Norway. A month later, the U.S. military seized Nicolás Maduro and took him to New York to face criminal charges, leading to the current interim government under Delcy Rodríguez.