Venezuela opposition leader returns home from exile

Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado has announced her return to her homeland. Photo: AP PHOTO Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has returned to the South American nation after nearly a year ‌outside the country. Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue reading SAVE $100 All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All other in your area "I'm here.

With you all," the Nobel ‌Peace Prize-winning Machado wrote on social media early Sunday. Her return risks straining ties with the ‌US Trump administration, which she has sought to cultivate as an ally since before it removed President Nicolas Maduro from power in January. President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed support for interim President Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro's former deputy, and hailed deals on oil production and other business ventures by US ‌companies in the ‌South American ⁠country.

Trump said in September it is too soon to ​consider democratic elections in Venezuela. International energy firms committed last month to expanding projects in the country in a signing ceremony overseen by Rodriguez and US Energy Secretary Chris Wright. Machado has said only a "serious, democratic government" can provide the stability needed by investors.

In June, she said she would do ⁠whatever it took to come home and help ‌the ​survivors of devastating twin earthquakes that month, which killed at least 6500 people and left thousands ​missing. Opposition leader María Corina Machado secretly left in late 2025 to ​receive the Nobel Peace Prize. (AP PHOTO) Machado was ‌barred by Maduro's government from exiting Venezuela but secretly left in late 2025 to ​receive the Nobel Peace Prize, after spending more than a year living mostly in hiding.

Her desire to return had caused friction in Washington, with US officials asking her ​to ​delay her trip, Reuters reported in June. Machado ​did not disclose more details about her ‌current location, or how she returned. A faction of the opposition and the interim government held their latest session of talks this month, which aim to remake the top court and electoral council, among other goals, ahead of eventual elections.

They do not include Machado's political movement. Edmundo Gonzalez, a ​former presidential candidate for Machado's movement who has been living in Spain, confirmed her return ​in his own post ⁠and said he would soon join her. Australian Associated Press More from World News As it happens Breaking news alert Be the first to know when news breaks.