María Corina Machado says she has not requested protection for Venezuela return

María Corina Machado, Venezuelan opposition leader and 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner, stated that she has not requested any protection for her return to Venezuela. Source: eldiado, diariolibre

After deadly earthquakes on June 24 (magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, at least 2,595 dead and 12,400 injured per government), Machado announced her return but claimed the government closed the airspace to prevent her. The Wall Street Journal reported that the Trump administration pressured her to delay travel to avoid a political crisis. Source: eldiado, diariolibre

Machado criticized the government's disaster response, calling Venezuela a 'failed state' lacking capabilities. She insists she will return to help with emergency relief. She faces terrorism and treason charges, which she denies. Source: eldiado