Machado’s return could move Venezuela’s court fight into the streets

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado returned to the country on October 25 after more than ten months in exile. She announced her return on social media with the message, "I am here. With you." Machado was greeted by supporters at a church in Lara state and has since been traveling through Venezuela.

Machado's return follows her brief arrest in January 2025 and her absence during which she received the Nobel Peace Prize in Norway last December. Her reappearance is seen as significant given the political landscape, particularly following President Nicolas Maduro's abduction by U.S. military forces in January 2026.

Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, who has been endorsed by U.S. President Donald Trump and is collaborating with his administration on reforms including a deal for U.S. control over significant oil reserves, expressed hope that dialogue will provide space for all voices to be heard.

Machado's return has strained her relationship with the U.S., which initially praised Rodriguez’s government but now supports negotiations excluding Machado’s faction Vente Venezuela. The opposition leader faces potential challenges from the Supreme Court, where new magistrates may impact future elections and judicial decisions affecting her political eligibility and rights.