Jorge Rodríguez denies obstacles to María Corina Machado’s return
The president of the National Assembly of Venezuela and head of the government’s negotiating delegation, Jorge Rodríguez, categorically rejected the allegations regarding an alleged official obstruction to prevent the entry into the country of opposition leader María Corina Machado.
During a press conference following the conclusion of the second round of talks with a sector of the opposition, Rodríguez was questioned by the press regarding the complaints filed this week by the political leader’s communication team. Faced with the question, the parliamentarian responded with a brief: “No way, for God’s sake,” dismissing the accusations circulating in the public sphere.
Complaints from the opposition leader’s team
Machado’s circle maintains that the opposition leader has attempted to return to Venezuela from Panama on at least three occasions in recent days, without success. According to her representatives, these difficulties have prevented the former congresswoman from being able to finalize her arrival in national territory following her departure from the country last December, when she traveled to Norway to receive the Nobel Peace Prize medal.
He has been prevented from flying from Panama. He remains there unable to leave.
María Corina Machado’s press team
According to the records provided by your team, with these three recent attempts, the number of failed attempts to return to Venezuela would amount to a total of seven since leaving the country after a period in hiding.
Logistical problems and aeronautical permits
The return scenario has been complicated by logistical factors in the Caribbean region. Sources close to the situation indicated that the scheduled private flights faced obstacles due to a lack of landing permits on islands such as Bonaire, Aruba, and Curaçao, which are strategic points due to their proximity to the Venezuelan coast.
- Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao are key points for air and maritime transit to Venezuela.
- Obtaining overflight and landing permits is a procedure that requires coordination between the aeronautical authorities of origin and destination.
- Machado’s team states that negotiations have been attempted with various Caribbean nations to facilitate travel.
It is important to remember that Machado’s departure trip in December 2025, bound for Oslo, was carried out through a maritime operation that departed precisely from Curaçao. So far, the situation regarding the opposition leader’s return remains at a point of uncertainty while differences persist between official versions and the allegations made by her team.
