Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has announced plans to return to her country “as soon as possible,” rejecting the authority of the interim president installed in Caracas following the capture of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces.
Speaking to U.S. broadcaster Fox News from an undisclosed location on Monday, January 5, 2026, Machado delivered her first extended public comments since the dramatic developments over the weekend. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate reaffirmed her commitment to Venezuelans and criticised Delcy Rodríguez, who was sworn in as interim president after Maduro’s removal.
“I’m planning to go back to Venezuela as soon as possible,” Machado told Fox News, emphasising that her return is motivated by a belief that the Venezuelan people support her vision for the country’s future.
Machado described Rodríguez a longtime ally of Maduro as “one of the main architects of torture, persecution, corruption, and narcotrafficking,” asserting that she is widely rejected by Venezuelans. The opposition figure argued that in free and fair elections, her movement would secure overwhelming support, predicting a victory with more than 90 percent of the vote.
In her remarks, Machado set out ambitious goals for Venezuela’s future, including turning the nation into an energy hub of the Americas, dismantling entrenched criminal networks, and facilitating the return of millions of Venezuelans who have fled abroad in recent years.
Her interview also confirmed that she has not spoken with U.S. President Donald Trump since October 10, 2025, the day her Nobel Peace Prize was announced her only direct contact with him.
Machado’s comments come amid complex political dynamics in Venezuela following Maduro’s removal. While the United States has signalled cooperation with interim president Rodríguez, citing stability concerns and internal assessments of leadership prospects, Machado’s stance reflects lingering tension between opposition ambitions and the realities of the transitional phase.
As Venezuela navigates this critical period, Machado’s pledge to return highlights the ongoing battle for the country’s political future and underscores the unresolved debate over legitimate leadership and democratic transition.
