STORY: Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was back in Venezuela on Sunday (October 25) and met with supporters at a church in Lara, her press team said, after nearly a year outside the country.

The issue of her return has strained her relationship with the US Trump administration, which she has sought to cultivate as an ally since before it removed President Nicolas Maduro from power in January.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed support for interim President Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro's former deputy. Trump said in September it was too soon to consider democratic elections in Venezuela.

Speaking at the White House on Sunday, Trump said he did not know anything about Machado's return to Venezuela and suggested that the US would continue to back Rodriguez.

Machado did not disclose more details about her current location or how she returned.

A faction of the opposition and the interim government held their latest session of talks this month, which aim to remake the top court and electoral council, among other goals, ahead of eventual elections. They do not include Machado's political movement.

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SHOWS: GIVEN AS LARA, VENEZUELA (RELEASED OCTOBER 25, 2026) (@CONVZLACOMANDO VIA X - No resale/ No archive/ Must on-screen courtesy @ConVzlaComando via X)

1. VARIOUS OF OPPOSITION LEADER MARIA CORINA MACHADO AT CHURCH IN LARA MEETING WITH SUPPORTERS (PART ORIGINALLY SHOT IN PORTRAIT)

2. (MUTE) VARIOUS OF STILL PHOTOGRAPHS OF MACHADO AT LARA CHURCH