Venezuelan opposition leader María Machado returns after months in exile

Opposition leader María Corina Machado has returned to Venezuela after spending over 10 months in exile. Machado expressed her return on social media, stating, "I am here. With you." Her ally, Edmundo González Urrutia, confirmed the news and expressed his excitement over her homecoming. In January, President Nicolás Maduro was removed from power by the US, and Machado's opponent, Delcy Rodríguez, was installed as interim president.

González Urrutia believes Machado's return is a significant step towards a democratic transition and free, fair elections in Venezuela. Machado has attempted to return to the country seven times in recent weeks but was denied entry each time. She previously won an independent presidential primary in 2023, securing over 90% of the vote, but her government barred her from running for office, alleging fraud and tax violations. Machado's return may indicate her intention to run for president again, should an election be held.