Rubio: Venezuela Cleared Machado Return Weeks Ago

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Monday that Venezuela's interim government gave Washington notice weeks prior that opposition leader Maria Corina Machado could return to the country without interference. The disclosure clarifies the timeline for Machado's re-entry, a key step in the U.S. strategy to stabilize the region following the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro.

Rubio stated that U.S. officials communicated to the interim authorities that Machado, as a Venezuelan citizen, should be permitted to return unperturbed. The Venezuelan side confirmed she could fly into the airport at her discretion. This clearance was communicated directly to Machado's team, ensuring she could plan her return with certainty.

The timing of the permission aligns with broader U.S. efforts to overhaul Venezuela's judicial and electoral institutions. Rubio argued that these structural changes are a prerequisite for holding credible presidential elections. He noted that the interim government has met every agreed-upon deadline for replacing the Supreme Court and the electoral council, bodies that were previously used to manage political competition.

The administration is using economic tools to drive this transition. Rubio highlighted the U.S. ability to grant or withhold sanctions relief and licenses for economic activity as a primary incentive for cooperation. He pointed to recent compliance with national security demands, including efforts to reduce Iranian and Cuban influence and extradite individuals wanted by American authorities, as evidence of the interim government's progress.

When asked by reporters if the administration offered immunity from prosecution to Deputy President Delcy Rodríguez and her brother Jorge, who leads the National Assembly, Rubio said there was no talk of prosecutions. He did not confirm or deny whether specific immunity deals were on the table. The administration has previously collaborated with Rodríguez on oil extraction and other economic matters while pushing for a democratic transition.

Rubio defended the U.S. position on the oil deals that Machado has criticized. He characterized the agreements as a method to attract private investment and stated that Machado's objections were separate from the core issue of democratic elections. He also noted that he only discouraged Machado from returning immediately after a specific event, citing the logistical need to prioritize humanitarian relief flights into the country.

The Secretary expressed confidence that the interim authorities will continue to cooperate, warning that a failure to reach a negotiated transition could lead to a return to authoritarianism or armed conflict. He dismissed the possibility that Venezuelan authorities would indefinitely delay the election process, emphasizing that the infrastructure for voting must be changed quickly under the established timelines.