Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado returned to Caracas late Sunday night after nearly a year in exile. Her arrival capped a daylong journey through five states, where she was greeted by thousands of cheering supporters.
Machado seeks to revive a political movement and increase pressure on the government to hold presidential elections in the near future. As Venezuelans demand a return to democracy, the opposition leader aims to persuade Washington that the country requires a change of government.
Acting president Delcy Rodriguez stated on Monday that she hopes negotiations with a faction of the opposition will provide space for all voices to be heard. Meanwhile, the Venezuelan government has urged Machado to change her approach and make a positive contribution to the nation's political process and economic recovery.
The European Union welcomed Machado's return and called for free and fair elections. However, her presence may complicate the strategy of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration, requiring Machado to assert her leadership while avoiding offending the Trump administration.