Nobel laureate María Corina Machado returned to Venezuela after nearly a year abroad
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado returned to Venezuela after nearly a year abroad, appearing in Barquisimeto before traveling to Caracas, Tovima reported. Reuters said U.S. officials had asked Machado to delay her return. Her top foreign affairs adviser, David Smolansky, said she plans to meet victims of June's earthquakes and families of political prisoners.
More context
Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado returned to Venezuela on Sunday after nearly a year abroad, announcing on social media: “I’m here. With you all,” Reuters reported. Her press team shared images of her at a church in Lara state. Tovima reported that she later traveled from Barquisimeto to Caracas, where supporters greeted her. Machado left Venezuela secretly in late 2025 to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, after spending more than a year mostly in hiding, Reuters reported. Her desire to return had caused friction in Washington: Reuters reported that U.S. officials asked her to delay the trip. Machado did not disclose how she returned. Her top foreign affairs adviser, David Smolansky, told Reuters she planned to meet victims of June’s earthquakes and families of political prisoners, and would work proactively toward a date for free and fair elections.
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Reporting
- U.S. News & World Report (with Reuters) — Venezuela Opposition Leader Maria Corina Machado Returns to Venezuela
- Reuters — Venezuela opposition leader Maria Corina Machado returns to Venezuela | Reuters
- The Jerusalem Post — Machado returns to Venezuela after multiple failed homecoming attempts | The Jerusalem Post
- Fox News — Venezuela opposition leader Machado returns home as Trump weighs in | Fox News
- Latin Times — María Corina Machado Returns to Venezuela After Ten Months Away — And She's Ready to Run for President
- El País — María Corina Machado returns to Venezuela | International | EL PAÍS English
- Bozeman Daily Chronicle — Photos of María Corina Machado’s return to Venezuela as supporters welcome opposition leader
- tovima.com — Venezuela’s Machado Returns Home, Challenging U.S.-Backed Government - tovima.com
Verifier’s note
Reuters, the Wall Street Journal report carried by Tovima, Fox News, Latin Times, EL PAÍS, and the AP photo gallery all report Machado’s return after months abroad; U.S. News and The Jerusalem Post carry Reuters’ account. The reports describe the return on October 25, within the past day.