The key facts

  • The opposition coalition confirmed the leadership of María Corina Machado, who lives in Panama, and demanded her return.
  • 14 proposals for restoring democracy and an election roadmap were presented, but without a voting date.
  • Machado is not taking part in the negotiations with the authorities, but said she would not interfere with them.

Coalition confirmed Machado's leadership

The alliance of Venezuelan opposition parties on Sunday confirmed that it recognizes and supports the leadership of María Corina Machado — the exiled winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. The statement was part of a new 'Great National Agreement' and came amid a third round of negotiations on political transition between the opposition faction and the transitional government. Machado, who lives in Panama and is not leading the delegation at the negotiations, said she would not interfere in the process, which the United States supports. She took part in the Caracas meeting via video link.

Opposition proposals and demands

Members of the opposition platform 'Unitary Democratic Forum' presented 14 proposals for restoring democracy and a roadmap for holding general elections, but did not name a date for the vote. Machado's party Vente is pushing for elections to be held next year. The coalition demanded the unconditional release of all political prisoners, an end to political repression, and the right of exiles to return home. It also called for full freedom for political parties, the lifting of bans on candidates' participation in elections (Machado herself was subject to such a ban), an end to administrative proceedings against political organizations, and measures to protect human rights. The group called for a peaceful transition to democracy and free, competitive elections.

Context: Maduro, the transitional authorities, and the question of return

Nicolás Maduro was captured by American forces in January and taken to New York to face trial; his deputy Delcy Rodríguez took office and is governing under strong pressure from Washington. Machado has been in exile since 2025, when she secretly left Venezuela to receive the Nobel Prize. According to her party, she has attempted to return home at least seven times, but the authorities have not let her in. Many observers believe Washington plays a role in blocking her return, given Donald Trump's repeated expressions of satisfaction with Rodríguez; American officials deny these claims. Despite this, Machado once again thanked Trump for Maduro's capture: 'I have always been grateful to the President of the United States for opening the door to progress toward freedom, democracy, and true sovereignty,' she said. Dinorah Figuera, leader of the opposition delegation at the negotiations, said on Friday that she is working to ensure the negotiations lead to elections. 'We are at the beginning of a new era. We will finally make the liberal-democratic republic a reality... Venezuela will be free,' Machado said.