Maria Corina Machado, a longtime Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, should be allowed to return home now that Nicolás Maduro has been removed. Her safe return would test who truly controls Venezuela, provide focal leadership for a democratic transition, and help pressure for the release of more than 900 political prisoners. Machado’s presence could also reassure investors and reduce the risk of factional violence that threatens a fragile post-Maduro transition.
Where Is Maria Corina Machado? Why Her Immediate Return Matters for Venezuela
I’ve known Maria Corina Machado for years. It’s time for her to return to Venezuela.
Where is Maria Corina Machado right now, and why does her return to Venezuela matter so urgently?
It is rare for the deposed leader of a sovereign state to appear in a New York courtroom, and equally uncommon to see U.S. forces intervene to remove a dictator. The surprise U.S. action that led to Nicolás Maduro’s removal has left Venezuelans and international observers asking whether power in Caracas now rests with U.S. authorities, remnants of the old regime, or Venezuela’s opposition leadership — headed by figures such as Maria Corina Machado.
Machado’s Background
Maria Corina Machado is a longtime opposition leader and former lawmaker who has campaigned for democratic change since the 1990s. After winning an opposition primary in 2023 with more than 90% support, the Maduro government barred her from running for president. She then named civil-society leader Corina Yoris as her substitute; Yoris was also blocked. Machado ultimately backed Edmundo Gonzalez, a former diplomat, who went on to win the contested July 2024 election — reportedly supported by roughly 70% of voters.
Why Her Return Is a Test
Machado’s safe return would do three things at once: it would demonstrate whether Venezuelan institutions can protect high-profile opposition figures; it would show whether the United States is effectively administering Venezuelan affairs or whether forces loyal to the old regime still control security; and it would give a visible focal point for the opposition and the public to rally behind.
Security Concerns and Political Risks
A demonstrator bangs on a cooking pan in front of police officers during a protest against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s government in Caracas on July 29, 2024.Yuri Cortez / AFP via Getty Images
Many Venezuelans are relieved by Maduro’s removal but worry about violent reprisals. Diosdado Cabello, a powerful figure from the old administration, remains influential and has warned that colectivos (armed motorcycle groups) could attack celebrants. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez faces a dilemma: she must navigate pressure from the United States while avoiding a confrontation with Cabello and other hardline factions. The notorious intelligence center El Helicoide remains a key indicator of how security and repression will be handled going forward.
Political Prisoners and Justice
Foro Penal, the NGO that tracks political detainees, reports more than 900 political prisoners in Venezuela, including activists, opposition politicians and military officers. Notable detainees cited by observers include Freddy Superlano, Rocio San Miguel and Juan Pablo Guanipa. Now that Maduro has been removed, many argue that a restored democratic process should include the immediate review and release of people imprisoned for political reasons.
Historical Parallel: Juan Guaidó
There is a recent precedent for the political power of a visible opposition return. In 2019, Juan Guaidó’s public travel to and from the United States — and his appearance at the U.S. State of the Union — galvanized supporters and signaled that high-profile opposition figures could challenge the regime’s control. Machado’s return could play a similar role: signaling popular support and testing the regime’s remaining capacity to intimidate or repress.
What Machado’s Presence Could Achieve
If allowed to return safely, Machado could: unify a fragmented opposition, press for the release of political prisoners, provide the visible leadership that encourages both domestic civic renewal and international confidence, and help create the political stability necessary to attract investment — particularly in Venezuela’s vital oil sector.
Bottom line: Maria Corina Machado’s return is not just symbolic. It is a practical test of who governs Venezuela now, and it could be a decisive step toward a credible, democratic transition.
As Venezuelans look for signs of a real transition, allowing Machado to come home — safely, publicly and without preconditions — would be a powerful demonstration of intent by any interim authorities or outside actors influencing the country’s future.
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