Maria Corina Machado returns to Venezuela to press for democratic transition

Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel peace laureate Maria Corina Machado has made a surprise return to her home country after nearly a year in exile, RTE reported. Machado stated that she is ready to meet with Venezuela's interim president, according to RTE. CBS News, TRT World, and the Asahi Shimbun all cited United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio as saying that the United States urged Venezuelan officials to allow Machado's return. [3][8][9][10]

The Washington Examiner reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio is drawing up plans for Venezuela's transition to democracy following Machado's return. Rubio has cautioned Machado that street protests will not bring democracy, according to Axios. Additionally, the Miami Herald reported that Rubio warned Venezuela against delaying elections, while Axios stated that the United States plan includes establishing a new Supreme Court within two months and overhauling the electoral system. [1][2][11]

The European Union welcomed Machado's return as an opportunity to work toward free and fair elections, RTE and Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha both reported. According to BBC News, Machado returned with the blessing of United States President Donald Trump, even as Washington remains satisfied with Venezuela's current leadership for the time being. CNN reported that Machado's primary challenge is to pressure Interim President Delcy Rodriguez without upsetting the United States government. [3][4][6][7]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, Machado left Venezuela in December 2025 to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in Norway. The United States military arrested former Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro in January 2026, leading to Delcy Rodriguez being sworn in as interim president, as FTMQ News reported previously. [1][12]