Rubio confirms Venezuela pre-approved Machado's return weeks before arrival

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Monday that Venezuela’s interim government granted permission for opposition leader Maria Corina Machado to return home weeks before she arrived.

Rubio stated that interim authorities communicated directly with Washington, confirming Machado could fly into the airport without interference. He noted that the U.S. conveyed this clearance to Machado’s team, fulfilling their expectation that she belong in her country unperturbed.

The disclosure came one day after Machado accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in Norway. This milestone occurred roughly one month after U.S. military forces captured President Nicolás Maduro, leaving his deputy, Delcy Rodríguez, in control. The Trump administration has since collaborated with Rodríguez on oil extraction, though officials maintain that Venezuela must eventually transition to a democratically elected government.

Rubio emphasized that the interim government is adhering to agreed-upon deadlines for replacing the Supreme Court and electoral council. He argued that these institutions, long used by Maduro’s government to control political competition, must be overhauled quickly to enable credible presidential elections. Rubio dismissed the possibility of indefinite delays, stating that the infrastructure of elections must change within the established timelines.

The secretary of state cited compliance with U.S. national security demands as a key factor in the cooperation. These demands include diminishing Iranian and Cuban influence, pursuing criminal organizations, and extraditing individuals wanted by American authorities. He also pointed to the administration’s ability to grant or withhold sanctions relief and economic licenses as an incentive for the interim government to continue cooperating.

Regarding specific incentives for Rodríguez and her brother Jorge, who leads the National Assembly, Rubio said there was no talk of prosecutions. However, he did not directly address whether immunity from prosecution had been offered to facilitate the transition.

Rubio explained that he personally discouraged Machado from returning only immediately after a specific event, citing the need to prioritize humanitarian relief operations. He stated that the logistical focus at that moment was on getting as many planes with relief aid into the country as possible. Machado has criticized aspects of the administration’s economic deals, including an oil agreement, which Rubio defended as a means of attracting private investment.

Rubio warned that failure to reach a negotiated transition could result in a return to authoritarianism or armed conflict. He expressed confidence that interim authorities would continue cooperating, while noting that the United States holds significant influence over the direction of these talks and their results.