Machado tries to return to Venezuela and Washington sees it as counterproductive

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado tried to return to her country after the earthquakes that left nearly 2,300 dead and 11,000 injured, but the Donald Trump administration called the attempt “counterproductive” for rescue efforts and aligned with acting president Delcy Rodríguez.

Two failed attempts

Machado first tried to travel through the island of Curaçao, retracing in reverse the route she took in November to receive her Nobel Peace Prize. Dutch authorities withdrew the landing permit for her private plane after Washington made clear it did not back the trip. A second attempt from Panama also failed: Copa Airlines refused to board her, fearing reprisals from the Caracas government, which according to Machado closed its airspace to prevent her entry.

Washington’s stance

Secretary of State Marco Rubio conveyed to Machado that, although they would not prevent her return, it was not the time to try it while all resources go to rescue tasks. A State Department spokesperson considered it “counterproductive” for aid efforts to add “sensitive political issues” at that moment. The White House believes backing Delcy Rodríguez is, for now, the best way to preserve stability and channel US$300 million in humanitarian aid.

The right to return

The opposition insists Machado must be able to enter. Presidential candidate Edmundo González defended that “there are principles that admit no negotiation: the right of every Venezuelan to enter, remain and return to their own country.” Machado, for her part, promised from Panama: “Very soon I will be back in Venezuela.”

The key figure

Nearly 2,300 dead and 11,000 injured from the earthquakes set the scene: the country faces its worst humanitarian crisis in years and international aid is conditioned on political stability. For Washington, the disaster first; the political discussion, later. For Machado, returning is a right that admits no waiting.