Venezuelan opposition leader and 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado returned to Venezuela on Sunday after more than 10 months in exile, marking her first appearance in the country since secretly leaving for Norway in December to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Machado announced her return on social media, announcing, “I'm here. with you," before appearing among church supporters in Barkisimatu, Lara state. Her return follows seven unsuccessful attempts to re-enter the country and comes nearly 10 months after US forces captured former President Nicolás Maduro in January. Venezuela remains under interim President Delsea Rodríguez, whose government has yet to call a presidential election. Machado is demanding free and fair elections, while opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia confirmed her arrival and pledged to return soon. US President Donald Trump said he was not aware of her return but hoped she would remain safe. Edmundo Gonzalez, Machedo's 2024 presidential candidate after being barred from running for office by the Venezuelan authorities: Venezuela! I am excited to inform you that our leader, dear Maria Corina, is on Venezuelan soil. Today is a very important day for the people of Venezuela. Our sovereign voice returns with her to lead and guide this process! Very soon I will be with you and her so that our country can really move towards freedom. You know it, it's all the way.

Venezuelan opposition leader and 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado returned to Venezuela on Sunday after more than 10 months in exile, marking her first appearance in the country since secretly leaving for Norway in December to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Machado announced her return on social media, announcing, “I'm here. with you," before appearing among church supporters in Barkisimatu, Lara state. Her return follows seven unsuccessful attempts to re-enter the country and comes nearly 10 months after US forces captured former President Nicolás Maduro in January. Venezuela remains under interim President Delsea Rodríguez, whose government has yet to call a presidential election. Machado is demanding free and fair elections, while opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia confirmed her arrival and pledged to return soon. US President Donald Trump said he was not aware of her return but hoped she would remain safe. Edmundo Gonzalez, Machedo's 2024 presidential candidate after being barred from running for office by the Venezuelan authorities: Venezuela! I am excited to inform you that our leader, dear Maria Corina, is on Venezuelan soil. Today is a very important day for the people of Venezuela. Our sovereign voice returns with her to lead and guide this process! Very soon I will be with you and her so that our country can really move towards freedom. You know it, it's all the way.