Venezuelan opposition supporters demand Machado’s return and new elections
Supporters of Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado rallied in several cities to demand her safe return and presidential elections. Machado’s party says repeated attempts to return from exile have failed, while authorities deny blocking her. The demonstrations followed disputed elections and a continuing political transition under Delcy Rodriguez.
Supporters of Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado demonstrated in Caracas and other cities on Sunday, calling for her safe return and presidential elections that could produce a democratic transition. Hundreds of activists wearing the sky-blue colours of Machado’s Vente Venezuela party travelled through Caracas on motorcycles and in vehicles, honking horns and carrying national flags. Similar rallies were reported in Valencia, Maracaibo and Merida.
Flavio Valentini, a Vente Venezuela activist in Caracas, said the mobilisation was for the people rather than a particular party. Another party leader, Anthony Romero, said supporters hoped the transition would lead to presidential elections and a free, democratic country. Machado has been in exile for nine months.
Her party says she made several unsuccessful attempts to return, including efforts to travel by sea and fly to Curacao before continuing by speedboat. It said a chartered boat trip was cancelled because the vessel was allegedly not fit for navigation, while a plane was denied permission to land. Venezuelan authorities deny blocking Machado’s return.
US officials have also denied holding her back, although they have sometimes advised against returning because of safety concerns. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Machado had the right to enter her country whenever she wanted, while adding that he was unaware of her latest attempts. Machado was barred by courts from contesting Venezuela’s previous presidential election.
Her supporters say her substitute candidate won almost two-thirds of the vote, but Nicolas Maduro claimed victory. Protests over the official result were followed by a crackdown, forcing Machado and other opposition figures into hiding. The source material says Maduro was removed in a US military operation in January and that the government is now led by Delcy Rodriguez, a Maduro ally.
Rodriguez has opened the oil industry to foreign investment and is working with the Trump administration. US officials have said Venezuela should stabilise its economy and rebuild institutions before holding new elections.
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