CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuelan opposition leader and 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado announced on Sunday her intentions to return to Venezuela in the coming weeks. She emphasized that elections will be held in the South American nation, although she did not specify a date for her return.
During her announcement, Machado expressed that one of her main objectives is to prepare for what she described as a "new and gigantic electoral victory." She reached out to her supporters through social media, urging them to "strengthen the unity of Venezuelans," which she believes began with the recent primaries held in 2023. In that election, she emerged as the single candidate chosen to compete against former President Nicolás Maduro for the presidency.
In response to Machado's announcement, acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who has been in power since the U.S. military operation that captured Maduro and his wife in January, warned that Machado would have to "answer" if she decides to return to the country. This declaration signifies the heightened tensions and risks for the opposition leader given the current political climate in Venezuela.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented on the situation in Venezuela, stating that any change must be approached in phases involving stabilization, economic recovery, and political transition. However, he has not indicated that elections will occur in the near future, adding to the uncertainty surrounding Machado’s return and the overall political landscape in Venezuela.
Machado, who is regarded as a pivotal figure in the Venezuelan opposition, was recognized with the Nobel Peace Prize last year for her steadfast commitment to democratic transition in the country. Her actions have not been without controversy; she made headlines when she presented her Nobel medal to U.S. President Donald Trump post-military intervention that led to Maduro's deposition. Maduro, facing drug trafficking-related charges in U.S. courts, has maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty.
The political environment in Venezuela remains charged, especially following the July 2024 elections, which resulted in protests and claims of vote manipulation. The opposition accused the government of falsifying results, asserting that the real winner was Edmundo González, who succeeded Machado after she was barred from running in the elections. The aftermath of these elections has led to widespread repression against those opposing Maduro’s regime.
Machado's planned return and her call for unity among Venezuelans may signify a renewed push against the current government. However, the challenges she faces, both politically and personally, reflect the ongoing struggle for democracy and change within Venezuela.
