Opposition leader and Nobel laureate María Corina Machado returned to Venezuela on Sunday after months in exile. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez has stayed in office past her initial 90 days without calling an election, and Machado's allies want a date set.
María Corina Machado reappeared in Venezuela on Sunday, her first appearance since December. Her return comes as doubts grow over the country's democratic future and the role of the U.S.
Machado announced her arrival on social media. According to CNBC, she wrote: "I am here. With you." Edmundo González, another leading opposition figure, confirmed her arrival on X and said he would be at her side soon.
Crowd greets Machado at a church in Lara state
On Sunday afternoon, Machado walked into a church in Lara state, west of Caracas, as dozens of people applauded. She then headed to Caracas, with stops scheduled along the way.
Asked about her return, U.S. President Donald Trump said he did not know anything about it and hoped she was safe.
No election date under Rodríguez
The U.S. military deposed then-President Nicolás Maduro in January. Since then, acting President Delcy Rodríguez, a longtime Maduro ally, has run Venezuela with the Trump administration's blessing.
Rodríguez was initially supposed to serve only 90 days, but she has remained in office and has made no move to call an election. The ruling party-controlled assembly never voted to extend her term.
Machado and her allies have demanded a date for a presidential election. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has argued that Venezuela must first stabilize its economy and rebuild its institutions, including its courts and electoral council.
Seven failed attempts to return
According to her party, Machado made seven unsuccessful attempts to return. Opposition activists have accused Venezuela's government of blocking her, a claim Venezuelan authorities deny.
Trump administration officials deny they held her back. They have said that on some occasions they advised her against returning because of safety concerns.
Source: CNBC
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