The main leader of the Venezuelan opposition, María Corina Machado, said that she is “coordinating” her return to the country with the United States, without specifying a date.. Machado, in a press conference held on Saturday in Madrid, claimed to be in “permanent” contact with Trump administration officials and “trusts” the gradual process that Washington is promoting in his country.
“My return to Venezuela aims to ensure that we channel the anguish and desires for democracy of Venezuelans in a civic and organized way, focused on an electoral process,” Machado said.
The talks with the United States have been “detailed and frank” and have been kept “private” by mutual agreement, Machado said.adding that this also applies to his opinion on certain topics, when requested.
Peace Prize
He thanked US President Donald Trump for “risking the lives” of US citizens to achieve change in Venezuela, and defended the offer of the Nobel Peace Prize as a “mandate” of the Venezuelan people.
In early March, Machado said he would return in the coming weeks, after the capture of Nicolás Maduro by US forces on January 3.
Her arrival would test interim President Delcy Rodríguez’s tolerance for dissent and the United States’ commitment to backing the opposition leader she once promised to protect. Machado had remained practically hidden after the 2024 elections, which Maduro claimed to have won and whose victory was internationally recognized by his party..
Rodríguez has moved quickly to pass new energy legislation and free political prisoners, welcoming American officials and companies seeking to open their economy.
Consequences
Machado stated that Rodríguez is only taking steps to dismantle corruption in the government to meet US demands and not because of a “change of mind.”
“They are very aware of the consequences that would result from the United States if they do not comply with what they promised.”, he stated.
Machado affirmed that “free and fair” elections are essential to guarantee stability and peace, and thus achieve an “orderly transition” in the country. “Venezuelan society cries out for an electoral calendar and specific dates”he added.
Machado has been touring European cities, meeting this week with French President Emmanuel Macron, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Machado declined an invitation to meet with the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, who has expressed his support for Rodríguez.
Since overthrowing Maduro in early January, the U.S. government has taken steps to ease oil and financial sanctions against Venezuela, with the goal of helping it re-enter the country’s financial markets and secure its oil production amid the energy crisis caused by the war with Iran.
