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Unrest & politics · Politics · Impact 2 Notable

Machado's return to Venezuela tests limits of US sway as she seeks new elections

· Caracas, Venezuela · single source so far

María Corina Machado, back in Venezuela, is seeking new elections and must avoid offending the Trump administration while asserting her own leadership.

Location
Caracas, Venezuela · Venezuela live map
Coordinates
10.48°N 66.90°W
Reported
26 Oct 2026, 23:09 UTC
Category
Unrest & politics · Politics
Impact
2 of 5 · Notable
Situation
Venezuela politics
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Venezuela politics right now

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Opposition leader María Corina Machado returns to Venezuela after nearly 10 months

Nobel laureate María Corina Machado returned to Venezuela on Sunday after nearly 10 months in exile, to challenge leaders who have sidelined her and to press for new elections. On Friday, Venezuelans held their first national protest in nearly two years demanding elections. No date has been set to choose a successor to Nicolas Maduro, the former president captured by US forces.

  • President Trump says Venezuela is not ready for elections and is focused on its oil.
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio is encouraging talks between opposing politicians.
Updated 25 Oct 2026, 19:29 UTC · Written by Claude from the reports on this page and on the map. Check the linked sources for full details.

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