US blocks María Corina Machado's return to earthquake-hit Venezuela

The Trump administration blocked a flight carrying exiled opposition leader María Corina Machado back to Venezuela, accusing her of seeking a political photo-op amid the aftermath of a devastating double earthquake that has killed over 2,500 people. Machado, who won the Nobel Peace Prize and fled Venezuela in December, argued her return would stabilize the country, but Washington views it as an unwelcome distraction from relief efforts.

The blocked return

On June 26, Machado boarded a private jet from Virginia to Curaçao, planning to complete the journey by sea. However, the plane was ordered to turn back over North Carolina after U.S. officials concluded she intended to cross into Venezuela Source: Lavanguardia. The Wall Street Journal reported that Dutch authorities revoked landing permission after Washington made clear it did not support the trip Source: Infobae. A second attempt via Panama also failed when Copa Airlines refused to transport her Source: Infobae.

U.S. rationale

The State Department said adding "politically sensitive issues" would be counterproductive to earthquake response Source: El País. Axios quoted officials accusing Machado of "grotesque political opportunism," wanting to hand out aid while cameras roll Source: Clarin. Meanwhile, President Trump has praised interim President Delcy Rodríguez, who has cooperated with U.S. business interests in oil and mining Source: Listín Diario. This marks a stark shift: Trump previously welcomed Machado at the White House after she gifted him her Nobel medal.

Machado's position

Machado insists her presence in Venezuela is needed to organize relief and push for democratic transition. "My presence stabilizes; it is part of the organizing forces the country needs," she said Source: Infobae. Edmundo González, the opposition's presidential candidate, backed her right to return: "The right to enter one's own country does not depend on authorization from power" Source: El Nacional. Over 30 former heads of state signed a letter condemning the interference with Machado's return Source: ABC España.