Venezuela’s opposition leader Machado returns after months in exile, as doubts over democracy deepen

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Opposition leader and Nobel laureate María Corina Machado made her return to Venezuela on Sunday, marking her first public appearance since December. Machado, who had been in exile for over 10 months, announced her presence on social media with the message "I am here. With you." Edmundo Gonzalez, another opposition leader, confirmed her arrival via X, stating that Machado would be joined shortly.

Machado's return comes amidst growing concerns about Venezuela's democratic future, as well as the United States' role in the situation.

Following Nicolás Maduro's removal, Venezuela has been governed by acting President Delcy Rodríguez, a close ally of Maduro who received approval from the Trump administration. Rodríguez has extended her term beyond the authorized period and there is no scheduled election. Machado went into hiding in Venezuela for 11 months following a protest in January 2025, before leaving the country secretly and arriving in Norway, where she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her peaceful opposition to Maduro's authoritarian rule.

Machado and her supporters have been calling for a presidential election in Venezuela, but U.S. officials have stressed the importance of economic stabilization first. The ongoing political uncertainty has deepened doubts over Venezuela's democratic trajectory.