What to know about Venezuela’s opposition leader Maria Corina Machado

María Corina Machado has been a prominent figure opposing Venezuela's ruling party, which has controlled the nation for 27 years. She has returned to Venezuela after months in exile to advocate for a presidential election. The opposition leader, who garnered significant support in the 2024 election, had been living abroad since December 2024, receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in Norway and touring various countries.

Machado, an industrial engineer and the daughter of a steel magnate, first challenged the ruling party in 2004. Her efforts led to a failed referendum and her subsequent detention. She later became a member of the National Assembly, where she gained notoriety for interrupting President Hugo Chávez and calling for the expropriation of businesses.

Despite facing several setbacks, including being barred from public office and accused of plotting to kill Maduro, Machado persevered, ultimately securing the opposition's presidential nomination in 2023. However, her bid was thwarted by the ruling party's control over the judiciary, forcing her to support another candidate. Despite this setback, Machado continued to campaign across Venezuela, rallying supporters with chants of "Freedom!

Freedom! Freedom!" Her efforts were met with government resistance, including the arrest of her collaborators and the declaration of Maduro as the winner of the 2024 election.