The Nobel Peace Prize laureate reentered the country following ten months in exile to mobilize citizens for an upcoming democratic transition. Her arrival follows the January raid by American forces that removed Nicolás Maduro from power to face drug trafficking charges in New York. Although supportive of the U.S. intervention, she voiced strong concerns regarding an agreement to transfer 20 percent of Venezuela's oil reserves to the United States. Interim leader Delcy Rodriguez has confirmed that general elections will occur, though no firm date has been scheduled.
Key points
The opposition leadership is preparing to mobilize Venezuelan society ahead of anticipate…: The opposition leadership is preparing to mobilize Venezuelan society ahead of anticipated presidential elections targeted for 2027.
Washington's military intervention successfully unseated Nicolás Maduro to face trial on…: Washington's military intervention successfully unseated Nicolás Maduro to face trial on federal drug trafficking charges in New York.
Machado publicly criticized the recent U.S.-Venezuela oil accord for lacking the transpar…: Machado publicly criticized the recent U.S.-Venezuela oil accord for lacking the transparency demanded by the public.
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At a press conference shortly after returning to Venezuela following ten months in exile, opposition leader María Corina Machado thanked the Trump administration, saying the US capture of Nicolás Maduro had “opened the floodgate to freedom.”
CARACUS: Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado on Thursday (Oct 29) thanked the government of US President Donald Trump for opening the "floodgate to freedom" by capturing president Nicolas Maduro in January.
The Nobel Peace Prize laureate spoke at a press conference in Caracas after returning to Venezuela from 10 months in exile.
"Thanks to their vision, their courage, and their action on January 3, the floodgate to freedom has been opened," Machado said, naming Trump, his administration and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
She was more critical of a massive oil deal struck between Washington and Caracas earlier this year, however, questioning its opacity.
"This agreement does not reflect the levels of transparency that Venezuelan society wants," she said of the accord that will see Venezuela hand over 20 per cent of its vast oil reserves to the US.
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