Machado has returned to his home country after a long exile.

Bangla  Press Desk: Opposition leader and Nobel laureate María Corina Machado has returned to Venezuela after more than 10 months in exile. Following several unsuccessful attempts to return, she arrived in her homeland on Sunday (October 25) and announced her presence via a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

According to the BBC, upon her return, Machado met with supporters at a church in the Venezuelan state of Lara. From there, she set off for the capital, Caracas, accompanied by a convoy of her supporters. Her party has described this return as a historic move. Machado had left the country by speedboat last January, following a trip to Norway to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

A month after her departure, the United States moved to oust Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Subsequently, Washington began discussions with Venezuela’s interim government, aiming to restore a democratic environment and reach a political settlement. While several influential opposition figures were included in this process, Machado and González Urrutia were strategically excluded.

Although she won the primary election with over 90 percent of the vote, the Maduro administration had barred Machado from running in the election.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that the lifting of the ban on Machado and her safe return are the result of political negotiations mediated by the United States. US President Donald Trump has also expressed hope for her safety.

Edmundo González, a political ally and spokesperson for Machado, stated that this return marks a significant step toward holding a free, fair, and credible presidential election in Venezuela. It is expected that Machado will run for the presidency again should such an election take place.

BP > SP