Supporters of María Corina Machado took to the streets in Caracas and other Venezuelan cities, demanding the opposition leader’s safe return to the country and the holding of presidential elections.
In the capital, hundreds of people traveled along main avenues on motorcycles and in vehicles, carrying Venezuelan flags and various banners. Similar demonstrations were also held in Valencia, Maracaibo and Mérida.
Machado, who left Venezuela in December 2025, had said she wanted to return to the country to participate in the elections. She later accused the administration of trying to prevent her return.

Necessary conditions for elections have yet to be established
Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez said on September 3 that elections would be held once the necessary conditions had been established. Rodriguez said, “Elections will be held, but when the country is ready.”
U.S. President Donald Trump also argued that Venezuela is not ready for elections at this stage.
Charges against Maduro in the United States
The Venezuelan administration accused the United States on January 3 of carrying out attacks on the country’s civilian and military facilities. Trump, meanwhile, announced that a wide-ranging operation had been conducted against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and that Maduro and his wife had been taken out of the country.
Maduro and his wife have been held in a prison in Brooklyn since January. In the United States, Maduro faces charges of narco-terrorism, cocaine trafficking, and illegally possessing weapons and explosives.