Rallies in Venezuela Demand Return of Opposition Leader Maria Corina Machado

Hundreds of people held rallies in Venezuela on September 27, 2026, demanding the safe return of opposition leader Maria Corina Machado and fair presidential elections. Supporters of Machado, who is the leader of the Vente Venezuela party, participated in the rally wearing sky-blue shirts and rode motorcycles through the streets of Caracas. Similar rallies occurred in several state capitals, including Valencia, Maracaibo, and Merida. Flavio Valentini, a Vente Venezuela activist, stated, "This is not a matter of parties or politics. This is a movement for the people and by the people." The demonstrators called for a clear timeline for presidential elections in 2027 and chanted slogans such as "Freedom, freedom!" Machado has been living in exile for the past nine months, having left for Oslo in December 2025 to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Since then, she has attempted to return to Venezuela multiple times, with media reports indicating seven unsuccessful attempts. Activists claim that the Venezuelan government is blocking her return, a claim that Venezuelan authorities deny. Courts had previously barred Machado from running in elections under President Nicolás Maduro's government. Following a disputed election, Maduro's government conducted a crackdown against dissidents, prompting Machado and other opposition leaders to flee. In January 2026, Maduro was captured by U.S. authorities, but Machado has remained unable to return to Venezuela. The country is currently led by acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who has collaborated with Washington. Anthony Romero, a leader for Vente Venezuela, expressed hope that the transition process would lead to presidential elections and the establishment of a free, democratic country allied with the United States.