Opposition leader Machado failed three times to return to Venezuela — The Japan Times

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado made three attempts within 24 hours to return from Panama to Venezuela, but was unable to complete the journey. According to The Japan Times, the politician considered several routes, including traveling by sea, as well as flying to Aruba or Curaçao and then continuing the journey by sea.

A difficult return

The opposition figure’s daughter, Ana Corina Sosa, told NTN24 in New York that her mother is actively trying to return to the country, but the process is complicated. According to her, returning is not as simple as just boarding a plane.

Machado has already made unsuccessful attempts to return to Venezuela. In June, her plane was forced to change its route. Last week, in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, she said she was ready to travel to the country at any moment and could get there by land, sea, or air.

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Rodríguez meets with Trump

Machado’s new attempts took place as Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, arrived in New York for the UN General Assembly and met with US President Donald Trump. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also attended the meeting, a White House representative said.

According to the publication, Trump recognized Rodríguez’s authority, eased sanctions, and deepened economic ties with her government, including through a major oil deal. Rodríguez became the first Venezuelan leader to personally attend the UN General Assembly since Nicolás Maduro’s visit in 2018.

Machado was barred from taking part in the 2024 presidential election. After the disputed vote, she went into hiding, saying she feared for her life, and later left Venezuela to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Following unsuccessful attempts to return in June, she has mostly remained in Panama.