Machado Announce Plans to Return to Venezuela, Rejects Interim Government

Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Maria Corina Machado, has announced plans to return to Venezuela “as soon as possible,” firmly rejecting the authority of the country’s interim leadership following the removal of former president Nicolas Maduro.

Machado made the declaration on Monday during an interview with U.S. broadcaster Fox News, marking her first public appearance outside social media since the U.S. military intervention that forced Maduro out of power over the weekend. She spoke from an undisclosed location.

“I’m planning to go back to Venezuela as soon as possible,” Machado said, signaling her readiness to re-enter the country amid the unfolding political transition.

The opposition figure openly dismissed interim president Delcy Rodriguez, accusing her of being deeply linked to human rights abuses and corruption. Machado described Rodriguez as “one of the main architects of torture, persecution, corruption, and narcotrafficking,” adding that she lacks public support among Venezuelans.

Rodriguez previously served as vice president under Maduro and has recently indicated a willingness to cooperate with Washington in the post-Maduro era.

Machado expressed strong confidence in the opposition’s popularity, insisting that free and fair elections would deliver a decisive victory. “In free and fair elections, we will win by over 90 percent of the votes. I have no doubt about it,” she said.

Looking ahead, Machado outlined an ambitious vision for Venezuela, promising to transform the country into “the energy hub of the Americas,” dismantle criminal networks, and encourage millions of displaced Venezuelans to return home.

However, U.S. President Donald Trump has played down the likelihood of Machado leading Venezuela, stating that she does not command enough respect to govern. Trump has instead indicated a preference to work with Rodriguez and other figures from Maduro’s former administration, provided they meet U.S. demands, particularly on oil policy.

In a surprising move, Machado said she would be willing to share or even offer her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump, an award the U.S. president has publicly expressed interest in. She described his actions toward Venezuela as “historic” and a major step toward democratic transition.

Machado added that she has not spoken directly with Trump since October 10, when the Nobel Peace Prize was announced.