Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado remains in exile after departing in late 2025 following months in hiding. She has publicly committed to returning before the end of 2026 to participate in the ongoing democratic transition, including negotiations with the interim government under Delcy Rodríguez and preparations for new elections with international guarantees. Key recent developments include her March 2026 statements about returning within weeks, May 2026 announcements at an opposition summit in Panama reaffirming presidential ambitions, and coordination with U.S. officials amid releases of political prisoners and regime dismantling. Security concerns, including warnings from those involved in her prior extraction, and the need for broad national agreements continue to shape timing, with traders monitoring U.S.-backed talks and electoral reforms for signals on entry feasibility.