Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado, who has lived largely in exile or hiding since the disputed 2024 elections, continues to coordinate with U.S. officials on security and logistics for her return. Recent statements indicate she expects to re-enter the country well before the end of 2026, potentially much sooner, to support democratic transition efforts including updated voter rolls, new electoral authorities, and accelerated free elections. Following the January 2026 capture of former President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces and subsequent backing of interim leadership, her re-entry remains a focal point for opposition strategy amid ongoing risks of unrest and institutional reforms.