Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Machado Weighs Return as U.S. Urges Venezuela Caution
Maria Corina Machado is a Venezuelan opposition leader who has been living outside Venezuela.
She says she plans to return, but she has not announced when.
Some U.S. officials have reportedly asked her to wait.
The United States is supporting talks with Venezuela’s interim government, but Machado’s political group is not part of those talks.
Machado wants fair elections and may try to rally supporters when she returns.
She became especially popular after challenging the results of a disputed 2024 election.
However, her approval rating recently fell.
Supporters say Venezuela needs her leadership, while U.S. officials appear concerned that her return could disrupt their transition plans.
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado plans to return home, although no date has been announced.
Four opposition sources said Machado may travel to the United States before returning from Panama.
U.S. officials have privately urged her to delay her return, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio said she has the right to come back.
U.S.-backed talks with Venezuela’s interim government do not include Machado’s political movement and are expected to resume this week.
Machado remains the highest-rated Venezuelan political figure in a monthly survey, but her approval fell from 72% in July to 53% in August.
- Who
- Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, U.S. officials, interim President Delcy Rodriguez, and opposition groups are involved.
- What
- Machado is considering when to return to Venezuela amid U.S. concerns and political negotiations that exclude her movement.
- When
- The report was published September 16; Machado left Venezuela late last year, and U.S.-backed talks are scheduled to resume this week.
- Where
- Machado is currently in Panama and may travel to the United States before returning to Venezuela.
- Why
- Machado says she wants to promote fair elections, while U.S. officials reportedly fear her return could disrupt plans for a political transition.
Machado and Her Supporters
U.S. Transition Planners
Timing of Machado’s return
Machado and Her Supporters
Machado’s supporters say she will return and that her presence is needed to rally Venezuelans and press for fair elections.
U.S. Transition Planners
U.S. officials have reportedly asked Machado to delay her return, and a political analyst said Washington fears she could disrupt its transition plans.
Role in political negotiations
Machado and Her Supporters
Machado reportedly proposed leading negotiations and wants her movement involved in shaping Venezuela’s political future.
U.S. Transition Planners
The United States has backed the leader of the 2015 legislature for the talks, which currently exclude Machado’s political movement.
Political priority
Machado and Her Supporters
Machado and her supporters emphasize a return to democracy, elections, and removing Maduro-era officials from power.
U.S. Transition Planners
President Donald Trump has said it is too soon to consider elections and has expressed support for interim President Delcy Rodriguez and U.S.-backed oil deals.
- Current location
- Machado is in Panama.
- Potential travel plan
- An opposition source said she plans to visit the United States before returning to Venezuela, though no itinerary has been set.
- Return timing
- Four opposition sources said she will return, but no date has been announced.
- U.S. position
- Officials have privately asked Machado to delay her return; Marco Rubio said she has the right to come back.
- Negotiations
- U.S.-backed talks involving an opposition faction and the interim government are set to resume this week and do not include Machado’s movement.
- Approval rating
- Machado’s approval was 53% in August, down from 72% in July, according to the Latam Pulse survey.
- Election dispute
- Machado’s opposition coalition said it won 67% of the 2024 presidential vote, while official results declared Nicolas Maduro the winner.