María Corina Machado, the Nobel Peace Prize winner and leader of the Venezuelan opposition, announced her return to Venezuela on Sunday. In a social media post, she wrote, "I'm here. With you." This marks her first appearance in the country since December 2025, after spending nearly ten months in exile.
Machado had covertly left the South American nation in late 2025 with a private U.S. rescue team to accept the Nobel Peace Prize in Norway. While based in Panama and active in the United States, her party reports she attempted to return to Venezuela at least seven times but was blocked by authorities. Her eventual homecoming involved taking a private plane from Panama to Colombia before crossing overland into Venezuela.
Her return comes at a critical time following the deposition of former President Nicolás Maduro by the U.S. military. The country is currently led by acting president Delcy Rodríguez, who has exceeded the time she was authorized to serve with no elections scheduled. Machado returns amidst national protests demanding free elections, posing a significant test to Rodríguez’s political opening and the Trump administration’s strategy for post-Maduro Venezuela.
Opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez confirmed Machado's arrival on social media, stating that he would be next to her very soon.