Venezuela opposition demands elections as Machado’s return remains uncertain
Thousands of supporters of opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado gathered in Caracas on Thursday to demand free elections, the release of political prisoners and permission for her to return to Venezuela.
The demonstration, called by Machado’s party Vente Venezuela, was the first nationwide opposition protest in almost two years, amid political transition following the capture of Nicolás Maduro by US forces in January 2026. Protesters called for elections by December and criticised negotiations over the country’s future that are taking place without Machado’s participation. Machado backed the mobilisation from abroad and urged supporters to continue demonstrating.
Participants also highlighted Venezuela’s economic hardship and failing public services, including problems with healthcare and transport and the low value of pensions. Meanwhile, interim President Delcy Rodríguez’s government and the administration of US President Donald Trump are holding talks on the political transition and future elections, although no date has been set.
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