María Corina Machado calls for Venezuelan elections in 2027

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado called for presidential elections next year and transparency over oil-sale proceeds in an interview with the Financial Times.

In the interview reported on October 9, Machado supported holding a vote on July 24, 2027, Simón Bolívar's birthday. That is her proposed date, rather than an approved election timetable.

She also said she had made at least seven attempts to return to Venezuela, but flights and boat departures had been cancelled at the last moment for reasons unexplained to her. She has been outside the country since leaving late last year to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

Machado rejected suggestions that the United States was blocking her return. She said Secretary of State Marco Rubio had recognised her right to return both publicly and privately. She argued that her presence in Venezuela would send an important signal for the transition process.

She also called for disclosure of oil revenues overseen by the US government since January, including amounts collected and distributed. Her remarks represent the opposition leader's position and do not establish an agreement with Washington or Venezuelan authorities.