On Tuesday, Maria Corina Machado made a poignant return to the national headquarters of her party, known as "El Bejucal," located in the Chacao district of Caracas. This marked her first visit in over two years, following a prolonged period of persecution and exile abroad.
The opposition leader had re-entered Venezuela on Sunday, October 25, ending nearly ten months of being away. Her first public appearance took place at Santa Rosa Church in Barquisimeto, Lara state. From there, she embarked on a journey covering roughly 250 miles across four states to reach Caracas that same evening, declaring her return with the message, "I am here. With you."
Two days later, her arrival at El Bejucal was met with cheers of "She's here!" from state coordinators, staff, and party members eagerly awaiting her presence at the headquarters.
Vente Venezuela captured the moment on social media, stating, "Our national house El Bejucal is filled with hope. She arrives embraced by her state coordinators and by a team that never ceased to work, organize, and fight in every corner of Venezuela."
The images shared by the party depicted hugs, tears, and a crowd capturing the moment with their phones. "Every face, every handshake, and every tear at El Bejucal embodies the love of a team and a country that has never stopped fighting," the organization posted.
During her speech to those gathered, Machado declared that Venezuela would become "a reference for the world" due to its people's resilience against dictatorship. She reiterated her aim to push for a democratic transition with free and transparent elections.
Her return was made possible through diplomatic efforts by the United States. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that Washington negotiated with the Venezuelan government, led by Delcy Rodríguez, weeks prior, expressing the hope that Machado would be allowed to enter without hindrance or retaliation. Venezuelan authorities even stated she could enter via an airport.
Rodríguez, however, downplayed her return, calling it a "show" and noting, "It could have been avoided, the airports are there," while demanding Machado show "repentance, remorse, and correction" for her previous political actions. Diosdado Cabello supported this stance.
Her return concluded a period of hiding that began in August 2024, after she supported protests following presidential elections in which the Chavista regime declared Nicolás Maduro the winner despite widespread fraud allegations.
On December 9, 2025, she secretly left the country, traveling overland to the coast and then by boat to Curaçao, before heading to Oslo, where the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded her the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. Her daughter, Ana Corina Sosa, accepted the award on her behalf on December 11 that year.
After her departure, Machado made at least seven attempts to return between June and September 2026, all of which were blocked. The most documented attempt was "Operation Ithaca" on September 21 and 22, where Venezuela denied her entry three times in less than 24 hours, blocking flights from Panama City and canceling a maritime exit.
Alongside her return, the Unitary Platform unveiled a "Great National Agreement" featuring 14 initiatives to democratize Venezuela and a roadmap towards general elections, envisioning Machado at the forefront of the process.
Maria Corina Machado's Return to Venezuela: Key Questions
What prompted Maria Corina Machado's return to Venezuela?
Maria Corina Machado returned to Venezuela after diplomatic negotiations facilitated by the United States, allowing her entry without obstacles or reprisals.
How did Vente Venezuela describe her return?
Vente Venezuela described her return as a moment of hope, celebrated by state coordinators and a committed team that continued to work and fight for change throughout the country.
What challenges did Machado face while trying to return to Venezuela?
Before successfully returning, Machado faced numerous blocked attempts to re-enter Venezuela, including the well-documented "Operation Ithaca," during which she was denied entry multiple times in a short span.