US Told Venezuelan Authorities That Opposition Leader Machado Should Be Allowed to Return
It's a typical morning in Washington, and I'm standing outside the State Department, watching as people rush to and from the building. I've been here for hours, waiting for a statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Finally, he emerges, flanked by two aides, and begins speaking to a group of reporters.
"Weeks and weeks ago, we spoke to the interim authorities in Venezuela, and we told them that María Corina Machado should be allowed to return to her country," Rubio says, his voice calm and matter-of-fact. "We told them that she's a Venezuelan, and she belongs in her country. She should be allowed to return unperturbed."
Machado, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, had been in hiding in Venezuela for most of 2025 before making a clandestine escape to Norway, where she was awarded the prize. She later gave her medal to President Donald Trump. Her return to Venezuela on Sunday was a significant event, and Rubio's comments today seem to confirm that the Trump administration had been pushing for her return.
But why did it take so long? And what does this mean for the country's electoral process, which is supposed to be reformed in the coming months? Rubio's comments today don't provide much clarity on these questions, but they do suggest that the US is trying to stay involved in the process, even if it's not always clear what that means.
As I watch Rubio leave the State Department, I can't help but think about the complexities of US-Venezuelan relations. The country is in the midst of a political crisis, with a government that's been accused of human rights abuses and a leader who's been removed from office. The US has been involved in the process, but it's not always clear what its goals are or how it's trying to achieve them.
The situation is complicated, and it's not easy to simplify it. But one thing is clear: the US is trying to stay involved, and it's trying to push for a peaceful resolution to the crisis. Whether that means allowing Machado to return or supporting the reform of the country's electoral process, it's hard to say. But one thing is certain: the US is trying to stay engaged, and it's trying to find a way to make a positive impact on the situation.
As I pack up my camera and prepare to leave, I can't help but think about the people who are most affected by this crisis: the Venezuelans. They're the ones who are living in a country that's been torn apart by political infighting and economic collapse. They're the ones who are struggling to survive, who are wondering what the future holds.
And so, as I walk away from the State Department, I'm left with a question: what does this mean for the people of Venezuela? Will Machado's return make a difference? Will the US's involvement in the electoral process help to bring about a more peaceful and stable future?
I don't have the answers, but I do know one thing: the situation in Venezuela is complex, and it's not going to be resolved anytime soon. But one thing is certain: the US is trying to stay involved, and it's trying to find a way to make a positive impact on the situation.
Written by: Boris Gulp | The Citizen Edition
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