She did not provide further details about her plan to enter Venezuela.
Machado had been living in hiding in Venezuela since claiming victory in the country’s disputed 2024 election. In December, she secretly fled Venezuela by boat to travel to Oslo to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, which she later handed to US President Donald Trump.Machado’s desire to return to Venezuela has caused friction in Washington, where she has been asked to delay her return.
The opposition leader has contacted several US administration officials, including at the White House, the State Department, and Congress members, to seek support for her possible return to Venezuela, a White House official told Reuters on Saturday, June 27.
The capture of former President Nicolas Maduro by US forces in January had raised expectations among some opposition figures that Machado, 58, would take a leading role in governing Venezuela.
However, Trump threw his support behind Maduro’s former deputy, Delcy Rodriguez, saying Machado lacked the backing needed to lead the country in the near term.
Machado had said prior to the earthquakes that she expected to return to Venezuela before the end of the year.
”At this moment, I am willing to do whatever it takes, speak to whoever I need to speak to, in order to coordinate and serve our people,” Machado said on Monday, June 29.
In a brief statement, the State Department told Reuters on June 29 evening that it is ”solely focused on continuing to advance our efforts in response to the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela,” and made no reference to Machado’s reported requests for Washington to facilitate her return.
