CARACAS – Reports circulating in Venezuelan and international media suggest that opposition leader María Corina Machado may make another attempt to return to Venezuela in the coming days, although no official confirmation has been issued.
According to unnamed sources cited in the reports, this would be Machado's third attempt to re-enter the country since the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela late last month. The same sources also claim that obstacles previously attributed to the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump have been removed.
However, those claims have not been independently verified. Neither Machado nor U.S. authorities have announced plans for an imminent return.
In recent days, Machado has reiterated publicly that she intends to return to Venezuela but has not provided a specific date. In a message posted on social media, she described her return as "a promise fulfilled step by step" and acknowledged that obstacles remain.
The reports come after weeks of conflicting accounts regarding U.S. policy toward Machado's return. Media reports citing anonymous officials alleged that some members of the Trump administration opposed facilitating her travel during the ongoing humanitarian response to the earthquakes.
President Trump, however, publicly denied that he had ever instructed Machado not to return to Venezuela. When questioned by reporters aboard Air Force One this week, Trump said he had not discouraged her from traveling and praised the opposition leader.
As of now, there has been no official announcement confirming that Machado has set a date for her return or that arrangements have been made for a new attempt to enter Venezuela.