Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has returned to the country after more than 10 months in exile, amid renewed efforts to secure democratic reforms and free elections.
Machado announced her return in a post on X on Sunday, writing, “I am here. With you.”
Her arrival marks a significant development in Venezuela’s political crisis, following repeated unsuccessful attempts to return home in recent months.
Machado was photographed attending Mass in the state of Lara, where supporters gathered around her, embracing her and welcoming her return.
Her political ally and former presidential candidate, Edmundo González, also confirmed her arrival, describing the development as an important moment for Venezuelans.
“I am thrilled to announce to you that our leader, my dear María Corina, is on Venezuelan soil,” González said in a statement.
He added that he planned to join Machado in the country to help advance the struggle for freedom.
Machado left Venezuela more than 10 months ago to travel to Norway to receive the Nobel Peace Prize after spending her final days in the country hiding in safehouses. An adviser said she had attempted to return seven times in recent weeks but was unsuccessful.
Her return comes months after US forces seized President Nicolás Maduro in January, following which his deputy, Delcy Rodríguez, was sworn in as interim president.
Rodríguez subsequently signed an oil agreement granting favourable terms to the United States, according to reports.
Machado emerged as a prominent opposition figure after winning an independent opposition primary in 2023 with more than 90 per cent of the vote. However, Maduro’s government barred her from contesting the 2024 presidential election, citing alleged fraud and tax violations, which she denied as politically motivated.
She subsequently backed González, who contested the election against Maduro.
Although the electoral authority declared Maduro the winner, the opposition disputed the result, arguing that González had won and publishing copies of voting tallies to support its position.
Maduro is currently being held in New York, where he faces US charges involving drugs, weapons and torture. He has pleaded not guilty.
A spokesman for Machado described her return as a major step towards a democratic transition and the holding of free, fair and verifiable presidential elections.
The spokesman, David Smolansky, also thanked US President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other international partners for their support.
Trump, however, told reporters on Sunday that he was unaware of Machado’s return, adding that he hoped she was safe.
Rubio credited US-supported reconciliation talks for creating conditions that enabled Machado to return. He said the discussions had also contributed to the release of hundreds of political prisoners and the return of opposition figures from exile.
He urged political actors to support the process, describing it as an opportunity to achieve peaceful elections and lasting democratic governance.
Machado’s next political steps remain unclear, although she has previously said she would seek the presidency again if another election were held.
Her return has renewed attention on Venezuela’s political future, particularly the prospects for electoral reforms and a peaceful transition following Maduro’s removal from power.
