Thousands of Venezuelans marched in Caracas to demand free elections and the return of María Corina Machado

Thousands of Venezuelans participated this Monday in a massive mobilization in Caracas to demand the call for free and transparent elections, as well as the return to the country of opposition leader María Corina Machado.

The demonstration took place on the second anniversary of the 2024 presidential elections, the results of which continue to be questioned by large sectors of the opposition, who maintain that Edmundo González Urrutia was the true winner of those elections.

The gathering brought together political leaders, civil organizations, students, and citizens who marched through various sectors of the Venezuelan capital carrying national flags and banners with slogans in favor of democracy and the full restoration of political rights. During the day, the protesters demanded that the political transition process lead to competitive elections with international observation, a reliable electoral registry, and guarantees for all political forces.

One of the main demands of the mobilization was the return of María Corina Machado, who has been outside Venezuela since the end of last year. The participants chanted slogans in support of the opposition leader and called for her to be able to return to the country to participate freely in national political life.

For many attendees, Machado remains one of the main figures of the Venezuelan opposition and a key figure in any potential future electoral process.

The mobilization took place while negotiations supported by the international community continue to seek a political solution to the Venezuelan crisis. However, the absence of María Corina Machado from those discussions has generated debate within the opposition, although the leader herself recently stated that she would support any initiative that produces verifiable results, such as free elections, the return of exiles, and the release of political prisoners.

The organizers highlighted that the demonstration proceeded peacefully and noted that the objective was to express the citizens' demand for a democratic solution to the political crisis. They also insisted that the anniversary of the 2024 elections serves as a reminder of the need to fully restore democratic institutions and ensure that Venezuelans can freely choose their authorities.

As discussions progress among various political actors, a significant part of the opposition maintains that the success of any transition process will depend on holding free, transparent elections with broad citizen participation, in addition to the return of exiled leaders like María Corina Machado.