Venezuela opposition leader Machado returns home after fraught year away

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado returned home to Caracas on Sunday night, greeted by thousands of supporters. This marked a significant moment in her fraught year away from the country, after multiple failed return attempts strained her relationships with US President Donald Trump's administration.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Machado, who was blocked from challenging deposed leader Nicolas Maduro for the presidency in 2024, had been living in hiding for the past year following a disputed election. She appeared at a church in western Lara state, where she was met with cheers and calls for liberty. Her convoy traveled for eight hours due to the large crowds, finally reaching the capital city of Caracas.

Machado's return had been coordinated with the US, Panamanian and Colombian governments with approval from Trump. She plans to visit victims of recent earthquakes and meet with political prisoners, families of political prisoners, and leaders from Venezuela's democratic movement. International energy firms have committed to expanding projects in the country, signaling potential economic opportunities.