Venezuela's opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has returned to the country after 10 months in exile. The Nobel Peace Prize winner's arrival marks a significant step in the ongoing political struggle and highlights the complex relationship between Venezuela and the United States.
Machado, who was last seen in public in January 2025, made her return from Norway where she won the Nobel Prize. Her return is confirmed by Edmundo Gonzalez, a former presidential candidate for her movement, and is supported by the Comando Con Venezuela political organisation.
The U.S. has played a key role in facilitating Machado's return, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio citing U.S.-supported reconciliation talks as the reason for her safe return. The U.S. also continues to support Delcy Rodriguez, the acting president of Venezuela, in her efforts to reform the country's political system.
The U.S. has expressed caution about holding elections in Venezuela, with Trump stating it is too soon. Machado's return is seen as a major step towards a democratic transition, but the U.S. remains cautious about the political stability of the country.