Venezuelan leader Maria Corina Machado returns after 10 months in exile, but elections remain uncertain; here's why
Maria Corina Machado has returned to Venezuela after more than 10 months in exile, but an election date remains unset. Washington is prioritising economic stability and institutional reforms, while interim President Delcy Rodríguez says Venezuelans will decide when to vote.
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado returned to the country after more than ten months in exile on Sunday, despite ongoing uncertainty surrounding the country's democratic future and the timing of elections.
Machado had secretly traveled to Norway to accept the Nobel Peace Prize in December, before her return on October 25. Her arrival drew a crowd of supporters who greeted her at a church in western Lara state, with many singing the national anthem.
As acting president following the January ousting of former President Nicolás Maduro, Delcy Rodríguez has not called for elections, instead prioritizing economic stabilization. Machado and her allies have been pushing for a presidential election, with Machado proposing a vote by July 2027.
President Donald Trump, who previously supported Machado, has since sidelined her in the political transition, working with Rodríguez instead. The latter has met several demands from the Trump administration, including releasing political prisoners and facilitating American investment.
However, Trump has repeatedly stated the country is not ready for elections, despite significant progress. The future of elections remains uncertain, as a fair contest may require reforms to courts and electoral authorities, potentially delaying any vote for a year or more.
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