CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuelan opposition chief and winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize María Corina Machado mentioned on Sunday that she is going to return to Venezuela within the coming weeks and that elections might be held within the South American nation.
Machado didn’t set a date for her return however mentioned that one of many goals might be to arrange “for a brand new and gigantic electoral victory.”
In a message shared on social media, the politician known as on her supporters to “strengthen the unity of Venezuelans that started with the primaries,” a reference to the 2023 course of by which she received the vote geared toward establishing a single candidate to compete on the polls towards former President Nicolás Maduro.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez – in energy since Maduro and his spouse were captured in a U.S. navy operation in January — has warned that Machado “should reply” if she returns to the nation.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has mentioned that change in Venezuela should undergo phases of stabilization, financial restoration and transition. He has not indicated that elections might be held within the brief time period.
The 58-year-old politician, a key determine within the Venezuelan opposition, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize final 12 months for her battle for democratic transition in Venezuela.
She controversially later presented her medal to U.S. President Donald Trump after the navy intervention that deposited Maduro, who now faces drug-trafficking-related prices in U.S. courts. He has pleaded not responsible.
After Maduro was declared the victor of the July 2024 elections, protests erupted which sparked widespread repression. The opposition claimed it had credible proof that the actual winner was Edmundo González, who changed Machado after she was barred from collaborating.
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