Venezuela's opposition leader Maria Corina Machado returns to the country after nearly a year in exile, greeted by thousands of supporters in Caracas. The Nobel Peace Prize winner, who had been in hiding since the disputed 2024 election, is seen as a key figure in the political transition.
Machado, 59, was last seen in Barquisimeto, where she was met by supporters holding mobile phones and chanting 'Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!' Her return was delayed by traffic and crowds, with her convoy taking eight hours to reach Caracas. She was seen singing the national anthem in a plaza filled with supporters.
The return of Machado, who was prevented from challenging Maduro in the 2024 election, is seen as a significant development in Venezuela's political landscape. Her presence is viewed as a challenge to the interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, who now governs a country under US influence.
Machado's return was partly due to the Trump administration's decision to support Rodriguez over her, leading to travel restrictions and flight cancellations. The US-led ouster of Maduro and her subsequent gift of the Nobel medal to Trump have been key factors in her exile and return.