Maria Corina Machado has revealed her intention to return "very soon" to Venezuela, motivated by the catastrophic earthquakes that struck last Wednesday, resulting in over 1,450 deaths and leaving thousands of families homeless. Speaking from exile in the United States during an interview with Fox News, the Venezuelan opposition leader and 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate stated, "The time has come."
Machado emphasized her commitment to stand by her fellow Venezuelans, stating, "It is my duty to be with my people; we need to come together to embrace, to mourn, and to support each other during this challenging time." She highlighted that the immediate priority is to save lives and "provide comfort and assistance to those affected."
Devastating Impact and Urgent Needs
On June 24, two powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale and occurring just 39 seconds apart, rocked Venezuela with epicenters in Yaracuy state. The official toll has reached 1,450 fatalities, with 3,150 injured and 12,721 families affected. The United Nations estimates suggest over 50,000 individuals are missing, and approximately 6.76 million people have been impacted by this disaster.
La Guaira state has been declared a disaster zone, with over 100 buildings collapsed and the Maiquetía International Airport shut down. The economic damages are estimated at $6.7 billion, equivalent to 6% of Venezuela's GDP, as reported by the government.
Political Complexities Surrounding Machado's Return
Having left Venezuela covertly by boat to Curacao at the end of 2025 to attend the Nobel ceremony in Oslo, Machado has been living outside the country. She had previously spent over a year in hiding within Venezuela to evade arrest by Nicolás Maduro's regime following the July 2024 presidential elections.
Despite her announced plans to return, Machado's move lacks support from Washington. According to The New York Times, two unnamed Trump administration officials described her return as "ill-timed," with one labeling it a "political stunt."
The Trump administration has prioritized its alliance with the interim government led by Delcy Rodríguez, who took on the role of interim president on January 5, 2026, after Maduro's capture. In a March meeting at the White House, several U.S. officials also expressed concern for Machado's safety should she return to Venezuela.
This is not the first time Machado has announced an imminent return without following through. She had previously declared on March 1 that she would return "within weeks," with her party, Vente Venezuela, later stating it would be "in the coming days," a timeline that passed without her arrival.
Omar González Moreno, a leader from Vente Venezuela, confirmed on Saturday that Machado's return is imminent, hinting that she may be delaying her arrival to avoid politicizing the humanitarian crisis.
Political Pressure Amid Humanitarian Crisis
The political stakes are high: the constitutional deadline of July 3, 2026, looms for declaring the president's absolute absence and calling new elections, counting from Rodríguez's assumption of the role on January 5.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maria Corina Machado's Return
What motivated Maria Corina Machado to return to Venezuela?
Maria Corina Machado decided to return to Venezuela due to the recent devastating earthquakes, emphasizing her duty to support and be with her people during this difficult time.
How have the earthquakes affected Venezuela?
The earthquakes caused over 1,450 deaths, injured more than 3,150 people, and affected approximately 12,721 families. The United Nations reports over 50,000 missing individuals and nearly 6.76 million people impacted.
What is the U.S. administration's stance on Machado's return?
The Trump administration has not supported Machado's return, considering it "ill-timed" and expressing concerns for her safety, while prioritizing relations with the interim government led by Delcy Rodríguez.