Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has returned to the country after nearly a year in exile, a move that could put further strain on her relationship with the administration of US President Donald Trump.
“I’m here. With you all,” the Nobel Peace Prize winner wrote on social media early on Sunday. She has not disclosed where she is or how she managed to re-enter Venezuela.
Machado had been barred from leaving by Nicolas Maduro’s government before secretly departing in late 2025 to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. She had spent more than a year largely in hiding.
Her return comes as Washington has backed interim president Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro’s former deputy, since Mr Maduro was removed from power in January. Mr Trump has repeatedly voiced support for Ms Rodriguez and praised agreements involving US companies and oil production in Venezuela.
The US President said in September that it was too soon to consider democratic elections in the country. International energy firms last month committed to expanding projects in Venezuela during a signing ceremony overseen by Ms Rodriguez and US Energy Secretary Chris Wright.
Machado has argued that only a “serious, democratic government” can offer investors the stability they need. US officials had reportedly asked her to delay her return, amid friction in Washington over her plans.
In June, Machado said she would do whatever was necessary to come home and help survivors of the twin earthquakes that month, which killed at least 6,500 people and left thousands missing.
A faction of the opposition and the interim government held their latest round of talks this month on reshaping Venezuela’s top court and electoral council ahead of eventual elections. Machado’s political movement is not taking part in those discussions.
Edmundo Gonzalez, the former presidential candidate backed by Machado’s movement who is living in Spain, confirmed her return in a social media post and said he would soon join her.
