Machado says Venezuela's path to elections is set

María Corina Machado declared that the democratic transition in Venezuela is irreversible during a press conference held on Thursday at noon. The opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate spoke for the first time since returning to the country on Sunday. She stated that the three days since her arrival show that the three-phase plan proposed by the government of President Donald Trump is moving forward.

Machado addressed the timeline for upcoming elections, noting that the deadlines have become clearer. She argued that this clarity responsibly addresses the urgency of the nation. "Han quedado más claro los plazos (…) eso atiende con responsabilidad la urgencia de un país," she said.

Before speaking to the media, Machado traveled to the coastal state of La Guaira on Wednesday. The region was the hardest hit by the double earthquake on June 24. She met with residents affected by the disaster in various sectors of the area. Her campaign team, the Comando con Venezuela, shared photos and videos of the visit on X.

The team emphasized that Machado's priority was to be in Vargas, the former name of La Guaira, alongside the people. They reported that she toured the state and witnessed the destruction caused by the events of June 24 firsthand. "Ver de cerca las heridas de nuestra tierra duele, pero abrazar a cada familia, escuchar su dolor, sus historias y su determinación para salir adelante reafirma un solo compromiso: no dejarlos solos," the team added.

Machado reappeared in Venezuela on Sunday after several failed attempts to enter the country. She led a car convoy from the western state of Lara to Caracas. This route marked her first public appearance since crossing the border.

Since her return, she has met with members of her party, Vente Venezuela. She also met with families of political prisoners and victims of human rights abuses. Additionally, she held meetings with leaders of the main opposition coalition, Plataforma Unitaria Democrática, and the Alianza por Venezuela, a group composed of smaller social and political organizations.

The opposition leader continues to coordinate with various political groups as the country moves toward the scheduled elections. Her team maintains that the current momentum supports the phased approach outlined by the U.S. government. No further public events were announced beyond the Thursday press conference.