Machado returns to Venezuela after nearly a year in exile
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado returned home Sunday after nearly a year in exile, her team told CBS News, as no election is scheduled.
The story in focus
Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel laureate María Corina Machado returned to Venezuela on Sunday after nearly a year in exile, her team confirmed to CBS News. Her adviser called it a step toward democratic transition and free, fair and verifiable presidential elections.
- Machado returned Sunday after nearly a year abroad, her team confirmed to CBS News.
- Senior adviser David Smoalnsky said the return is a major step toward a democratic transition and free, fair and verifiable presidential elections.
- Machado was seen at a church in Lara state greeting supporters; she did not disclose her location or how she returned.
- Acting President Delcy Rodríguez has exceeded her authorized term and no election is scheduled.
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the conditions for her return resulted from U.S.-backed reconciliation talks.
Return confirmed after failed attempts
Machado posted on X in Spanish that she was in the country. Her team confirmed the return to CBS News on Sunday, and she did not disclose more details about her current location or how she traveled.
Edmundo González, a former presidential candidate for her movement who has been living in Spain, confirmed her return in his own social media post and said he would be next to her soon.
After news of her arrival, Machado was seen at a church in Lara state, west of Caracas, where dozens of supporters greeted her. She had made several failed attempts to return, including being denied entry three times over 24 hours in September, according to her adviser.
Political context and U.S. role
Venezuela has been run by acting President Delcy Rodríguez, a longtime ally of former President Nicolás Maduro, who received the Trump administration's blessing to succeed him. Rodríguez has exceeded the time she was authorized to serve, and no election is scheduled.
Machado and her allies have demanded a date for a presidential election, while U.S. officials have emphasized economic stabilization first. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the conditions allowing her return were the direct result of U.S. support for reconciliation talks and that the United States expects freedoms of all political sectors to be respected.
Smoalnsky thanked President Trump, the U.S. government and others for their continued leadership and support.
What did Machado's adviser say her return means?
David Smoalnsky called it a major step toward a democratic transition and free, fair and verifiable presidential elections, saying she returns to stand with Venezuelans in their pursuit of freedom, democracy and justice.
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