Maria Corina Machado Vows Return to Venezuela After Earthquakes Despite Obstacles

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said on Monday that she is prepared to "do whatever it takes" to return to Venezuela and assist with recovery efforts following the devastating back-to-back earthquakes that struck the country last week.

Speaking from Panama, Machado claimed the Venezuelan government is preventing her from reentering the country. In a video shared on X, she said her goal is to help coordinate emergency relief efforts and encourage citizens as communities recover from the disaster. While expressing her determination, she did not reveal how or when she intends to enter Venezuela.

Machado has been living outside public view since Venezuela’s disputed 2024 presidential election, in which she declared victory despite official results recognizing a different outcome. In December, she secretly left Venezuela by boat before traveling to Oslo to accept the Nobel Peace Prize. She later presented the award to U.S. President Donald Trump.

Her planned return has reportedly become a sensitive political issue in Washington. According to Reuters, Machado has contacted officials at the White House, the U.S. State Department, and members of Congress in an effort to gain support for her return to Venezuela. A White House official previously confirmed those discussions.

Following the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. forces in January, many opposition supporters believed Machado could play a leading role in the country's political transition. However, President Donald Trump later backed Maduro’s former deputy, Delcy Rodriguez, arguing that Machado did not yet have sufficient political support to govern Venezuela in the near future.

Before the earthquakes struck, Machado had already stated that she intended to return to Venezuela before the end of the year. On Monday, she reiterated that commitment, saying she is willing to speak with anyone necessary to ensure she can help the Venezuelan people during the national emergency.

In response to questions about Machado’s reported requests, the U.S. State Department said its immediate priority remains supporting humanitarian efforts following the deadly earthquakes in Venezuela. The department did not comment directly on whether Washington would assist Machado's return.

The latest developments highlight the intersection of Venezuela’s ongoing political uncertainty and the urgent humanitarian response required after the powerful earthquakes, as recovery efforts continue across the country.