Nobel Prize-winning Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado returned to Venezuela on Sunday, marking her first appearance in the country since leaving late last year amid concerns for her safety.
Machado had been barred from seeking office for 15 years despite strong support in opinion polls. Her return follows the capture of Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro by U.S. special forces during a dramatic raid in January.
“I am here. With you,” Machado wrote in a brief social media message.
Footage later showed Machado entering a church in Caracas. Fellow opposition leader Edmundo González confirmed that she was back in the country, saying Venezuela’s “sovereign voice returns with her to lead and guide this process.”
Venezuelan authorities still technically regard Machado as a fugitive. She had been prohibited from leaving the country when she secretly returned in December of last year.
As Maduro faces drug-trafficking charges in a U.S. court, his former vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, has taken on the role of interim president. Rodríguez has also maintained contact with senior Trump administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Following Maduro’s capture, lawmakers from both parties discussed the possibility of Machado becoming Venezuela’s next leader. President Trump dismissed that prospect, arguing that she lacked sufficient support among Venezuelans. Machado later gave Trump the Nobel Peace Prize she had received. Trump has openly said he deserves the award and expressed frustration that he has not been selected.
The circumstances surrounding Machado’s return to Venezuela remain unknown.
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“I don’t know anything about it, but I think she’s a very nice woman,” Trump said when asked about Machado’s return. “She gave me her Nobel Prize. So how can I say anything else? And I hope she’s safe. She’s a very nice woman.”
“We’re doing really well in Venezuela.”
The Trump administration has said it wants Venezuela to hold elections, though officials have not announced a firm schedule for when that vote might take place.
At the same time, the administration has continued working with Rodríguez on major policy matters. In August, Trump announced a wide-ranging agreement with Rodríguez’s government involving Venezuela’s oil fields.
Venezuela’s most recent presidential election was held in 2024 and was clouded by allegations of fraud and misconduct from several governments, including the Biden administration.
Evidence indicated that González, who replaced Machado on the ballot, may have defeated Maduro by a margin of roughly two to one. Nevertheless, Maduro was officially declared the winner.
U.S. officials have urged Venezuela’s authorities to free political detainees and implement additional democratic reforms.
Machado has repeatedly called on officials to announce a date for Venezuela’s next election. Earlier this month, she drew attention in the United States by endorsing Rep. María Elvira Salazar, a Florida Republican, in her reelection campaign.
