WASHINGTON — Senior U.S. officials are growing frustrated with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado over her renewed efforts to secure American assistance in returning to her home country in the aftermath of devastating earthquakes, according to a White House official.
Machado has contacted multiple U.S. administration figures in recent days, including officials at the White House, the State Department, and several members of Congress, requesting help arranging her return to Venezuela, the official told Reuters while speaking on condition of anonymity.
The urgency of her outreach comes after twin earthquakes struck Venezuela this week, leaving more than 900 people dead. Machado, 58, departed Venezuela back in December, defying a travel ban that had been in place for a decade in order to accept the Nobel Peace Prize. Prior to leaving, she had spent more than a year largely living in hiding following disputed elections in 2024.
The White House official expressed clear irritation with the timing of her request. “We support her returning to Venezuela, but does it have to be 24 hours after a massive humanitarian catastrophe where the death toll continues to climb?” the official said.
A representative for Machado did not respond to a request for comment.
The political backdrop to Machado’s push is complicated. The U.S. took former President Nicolas Maduro into custody in January, which had raised expectations among some of his opponents that Machado would step into a leading role in governing the country. However, U.S. President Donald Trump instead threw his support behind Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro’s former deputy, stating that Machado lacked the backing necessary to lead Venezuela in the near term.
Machado has continued to advocate for free and fair elections in Venezuela. Before this week’s earthquakes, she had publicly stated her intention to return to her homeland before the end of this year. Since departing Venezuela, she has been living primarily in the United States.
In response to the disaster, Washington has launched a significant relief operation. A State Department spokesperson confirmed that the U.S. has deployed search and rescue teams, is coordinating the delivery of medical supplies, and has released $150 million in humanitarian assistance for Venezuela.
