Jorge Rodríguez denies obstacles for the return of María Corina Machado
The chief negotiator for the Venezuelan ruling party and president of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, categorically rejected accusations regarding an alleged obstruction by the State to prevent the entry of opposition leader María Corina Machado into the country. During a meeting with the press after concluding a day of political dialogue, Rodríguez dismissed the complaints presented by the leader’s work team.
It’s not worth it, for God’s sake.
Jorge Rodríguez, president of the National Assembly of Venezuela.
Reports on return attempts
The controversy arose following allegations from Machado’s press team, who stated that the leader has attempted to return to Venezuelan territory multiple times this week, departing from Panama, without any success. According to reports, the former congresswoman remains on Panamanian soil waiting to be able to finalize her transfer.
According to the information gathered, Machado, who initially traveled to Norway last December to receive the Nobel Peace Prize after a period in hiding, has accumulated at least seven frustrated attempts to return to her country. These efforts have been complicated by logistical and diplomatic difficulties in the region.
Obstacles on the air route
Sources linked to the process explained that attempts at private flights have faced significant barriers. Particularly, the aeronautical authorities of the Caribbean islands of Bonaire, Aruba, and Curaçao reportedly denied the necessary landing permits for the aircraft intended to transport the leader to Venezuela.
- Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao are strategic points due to their proximity to the Venezuelan coast.
- The management of overflight and landing permits is a technical process that requires coordination between the nations involved.
- Machado used maritime routes through Curaçao during her clandestine departure from the country at the end of 2025.
Despite the conflicting versions, the situation of the opposition leader remains a critical point in the current political landscape, while dialogues continue between the various sectors of the country in search of solutions to the internal crisis.
