Venezuela Opposition Coalition Reaffirms Machado as Leader

Venezuela’s opposition coalition has reaffirmed Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado as its leader, increasing pressure on the country’s interim authorities to allow her return from exile. The decision was announced in Caracas on Sunday as part of a proposed national agreement aimed at restoring democracy. The coalition presented 14 proposals, including a roadmap for free and competitive elections, the unconditional release of political prisoners and an end to political repression. However, no election date was announced.

Machado, who is currently living in Panama, has called for elections next year through her party, Vente Venezuela. Meanwhile, another opposition faction is holding talks with the interim government following the removal of former president Nicolás Maduro by US forces in January. Interim leader Delcy Rodríguez remains at the centre of the transition process, while Machado has not been invited to the ongoing talks. In January, Machado presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to US President Donald Trump during a White House meeting, seeking his support for Venezuela’s political transition. The Nobel honour, however, remains officially hers.