Key facts
- Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado is weighing her return to Venezuela.
- U.S. officials have privately asked Machado to delay her return.
- Machado plans to visit the U.S. before returning to Venezuela.
- President Trump stated it is too soon to consider democratic elections in Venezuela.
- Machado's approval rating dipped to 53% in August from 72% in July.
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado is facing a growing dilemma over when to return to her home country, with U.S. officials privately urging her to delay her homecoming. Machado, who left Venezuela late last year, has repeatedly promised to return, but U.S. officials have expressed concerns that her return could disrupt ongoing transition plans.
Machado's potential return could significantly alter the political landscape in Venezuela, where U.S.-backed talks aimed at reforming the political system ahead of elections do not currently include her movement. While she commands the highest approval rating among Venezuelan political figures, her support saw a decline in August.
Sources close to Machado indicate she plans to return and will visit the United States beforehand, though no specific itinerary has been established. One source stated her focus upon return would be to advocate for fair elections. However, U.S. President Donald Trump has recently commented that it is too soon to consider democratic elections in Venezuela.
Analysts suggest the U.S. worries Machado's return could disrupt its transition plans by rallying supporters to demand the departure of Maduro-era officials. A State Department spokesperson declined to comment on private conversations regarding the timing of her return.
Machado's approval rating, according to the Latam Pulse survey by AtlasIntel and Bloomberg, slipped to 53% in August from a high of 72% in July. AtlasIntel CEO Andrei Roman noted that the boost Machado received after a recent earthquake has faded, impacting her credibility. Some opposition figures believe Machado may face a political cost for promising to return after the earthquakes and not doing so.
Despite the ouster of President Nicolas Maduro and U.S. oil deals, Venezuelans continue to experience patchy public services and poor healthcare. Local opposition organizer Gabriel Hernandez expressed that people are waiting for Machado to return and take the lead, believing her presence is necessary for elections and that citizens would rally to support her.