Venezuela opposition parties, in a meeting in Caracas on Sunday, reaffirmed exiled Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado as the leader of their unified front. The decision, part of the new Grand National Agreement, follows a third round of talks between the opposition bloc and the interim government that has been led by Delcy Rodríguez since January. Machado, who lives in Panama and has declined to participate directly in the negotiations, has pledged not to interfere in the process, which Washington backs.
The coalition presented 14 proposals aimed at restoring democracy, including a roadmap for free, competitive elections, unconditional release of all political prisoners, an end to political repression, and the lifting of bans on candidates. The proposals also call for protection of human rights and a peaceful transition to democracy, though no election date is set. Machado’s party, Vente, has insisted that elections be scheduled for next year.
Dinorah Figuera, the opposition delegation’s leader in talks with the interim government, said Friday that she is working to ensure the negotiations culminate in elections. Meanwhile, Machado, who fled Venezuela in 2025 after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, has attempted to return home seven times but has been blocked by authorities. Some observers point to Washington’s influence, noting that President Biden has repeatedly praised Rodríguez, while U.S. officials deny any role in blocking Machado’s return.
With the coalition’s new agreement, the opposition will now press the interim administration for a timetable and a vote schedule. The next step is a formal vote on the 14 proposals, expected to take place in the coming weeks, which could trigger a nationwide election campaign.
For families displaced across the country, the coalition’s move is a glimmer of hope. One woman in Maracaibo, who lost her husband in the 2019 protests, said she wants elections so her children can have a future.