Exiled Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado faced an abrupt halt to her attempt to return home when her flight was forced to turn back after Washington reportedly withdrew its support. Machado had believed she had the backing of the US government to travel back to earthquake-affected regions of Venezuela, but sources told The Wall Street Journal that intermediaries warned her the move risked undermining the US strategy toward Venezuela and could delay upcoming elections there.
Machado’s effort to return gained urgency following a series of powerful earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela, causing widespread devastation and loss of life. Despite warnings, she tried to board a flight again days later, only to be denied by the airline. The US Secretary of State reportedly intervened to dissuade her, emphasizing the need to focus on earthquake relief operations instead. Machado, however, maintained publicly that her return was necessary and indicated her intention to remain a key political player.
Before going into exile, Machado was a prominent political opponent to Nicolás Maduro’s regime and had been barred from participating in Venezuela’s presidential election. She had previously announced her plans to run for office, positioning herself as a candidate amid a fractured political landscape. The US government’s pivot to supporting acting President Delcy Rodríguez, a former Maduro vice president, reflects complex shifting allegiances in US-Venezuelan relations. Machado’s forced travel disruptions highlight ongoing tensions about Venezuela’s political future and how the US navigates its influence amid domestic crises.