Venezuela’s Machado Says in Close Talks with US Over Her Return

Maria Corina Machado during a news conference in Madrid, on April 18. Photographer: Claudia Paparelli/Bloomberg Photo by Claudia Paparelli /BloombergArticle content(Bloomberg) — Venezuela’s main opposition leader María Corina Machado said she’s “coordinating” her return to the country with the US, without giving a date. Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle contentMachado, speaking at a press conference in Madrid on Saturday, said she’s in “permanent” contact with officials in the Trump administration and “trusts” the phased process Washington is pushing in her home country.Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Article contentArticle content“My return to Venezuela is intended to ensure that we channel Venezuelans’ anguish and yearnings for democracy in a civic and organized manner, centered around an electoral process,” Machado said.Article contentTop StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article contentConversations with the US have been “detailed and frank” and kept “private” in agreement, Machado said, adding that this also applies to her opinion on certain issues, when requested.Article contentPeace PrizeArticle contentShe thanked US President Donald Trump for “risking the lives” of US citizens to secure change in Venezuela, and defended her offering of the Nobel peace prize to him as a “mandate” of the Venezuelan people.Article contentIn early March, Machado said she would return within “the next few weeks,” following Nicolás Maduro’s Jan. 3 capture by US forces.Article contentHer arrival would test interim President Delcy Rodríguez’s tolerance for dissent and the US’s commitment to back the opposition leader it once pledged to protect. Machado had stayed largely in hiding after the 2024 election that Maduro claimed he’d won and the world acknowledged her party won.Article contentRodríguez has moved swiftly to approve new energy legislation and release political prisoners, welcoming US officials and companies aiming to open its economy.Article contentArticle contentConsequencesArticle contentMachado said Rodríguez is only taking steps to dismantle corruption in the government to comply with US demands and not because of a “change of heart.”Article content“They are very well aware of consequences from the US if they fail to deliver,” she said.Article contentMachado said “free and fair” elections are key to secure stability and peace for an “orderly transition” in the country. “Venezuela’s society is clamoring for an electoral calendar and specific dates,” she said.Article contentMachado has been touring cities in Europe, meeting French President Emmanuel Macron, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten and Italy’s premier Giorgia Meloni this week. Machado declined an invitation to meet Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who has signaled support for Rodriguez.Article contentSince removing Maduro from power in early January, the US government has moved to ease oil and financial sanctions in Venezuela, as it looks to help reinsert the country into the financial markets and secure its oil production amid the energy disruption caused by the Iran war.Article contentArticle contentTrending Bank of Canada's Macklem says he has spoken to Fed chair about risks from Anthropic's Mythos AI model Banking IMF sees Canada's fiscal position as strongest in G7 Economy 'The impacts are massive': U.S. tariff change pushes Canadian manufacturers to the brink Economy Brace for gas price 'shock' in inflation numbers out Monday, say economists Economy Posthaste: Why Canadians might be doomed to suffer a 'new normal' for oil prices News Share this article in your social networkCommentsYou must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.Create an AccountSign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. Bank of Canada's Macklem says he has spoken to Fed chair about risks from Anthropic's Mythos AI model Banking IMF sees Canada's fiscal position as strongest in G7 Economy 'The impacts are massive': U.S. tariff change pushes Canadian manufacturers to the brink Economy Brace for gas price 'shock' in inflation numbers out Monday, say economists Economy Posthaste: Why Canadians might be doomed to suffer a 'new normal' for oil prices News