Venezuelan Opposition Leader Machado Vows Return Amid U.S. Intervention

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has pledged to return to Venezuela, praising U.S. action against President Nicolás Maduro and expressing confidence in winning a free election. Machado, who fled the country in October to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, described the recent U.S. operation that captured Maduro and his wife as a historic step toward democratic transition.

Machado told international media that she hopes to return as soon as possible and emphasized that a fair election would allow her movement to secure overwhelming support. She criticized interim President Delcy Rodriguez, a close ally of Maduro, for corruption, ties to foreign powers, and lack of credibility with the Venezuelan people. Machado also called for the immediate release of political prisoners still held in the country.

Despite Machado’s optimism, former U.S. President Donald Trump has said that Venezuela’s political and economic issues must be addressed before elections can be held, describing a 30-day vote timeline as unrealistic. U.S. intelligence reportedly advises cooperation with Maduro loyalists, including Rodriguez, to maintain stability in the country and protect international investments.

Meanwhile, Maduro appeared in Manhattan federal court, pleading not guilty to narcotics charges and denying allegations of overseeing an international cocaine-trafficking network. His capture and the U.S. intervention—the largest in Latin America since 1989—have drawn condemnation from Russia, China, and several Latin American leaders, raising concerns over international law and regional stability.

Venezuela’s interim government under Rodriguez faces the challenge of managing a divided political landscape, ongoing civil unrest, and an oil sector in decline. Machado’s return and the possibility of new elections highlight the uncertain path ahead for the nation, as both domestic and international observers monitor developments closely.