Rubio says Venezuela cleared Machado's return weeks before her arrival

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters on Monday that Venezuela's interim government informed the United States several weeks ago that opposition leader Maria Corina Machado could return to her home country without interference. Rubio stated that U.S. officials communicated this clearance directly to Machado's team, confirming she was free to fly into the country.

The disclosure follows Machado's return to Venezuela, a move occurring as the Trump administration pushes for structural changes to the country's political system. Rubio explained that U.S. negotiators told the interim authorities that Machado is a Venezuelan citizen who belongs in her country and should be allowed to reenter unperturbed. He noted that the interim government responded by telling U.S. officials she could land at the airport if she chose to do so.

Rubio linked Machado's return to ongoing efforts to overhaul Venezuela's judicial and electoral institutions. He argued that these changes are necessary before credible presidential elections can take place. Although no specific election date has been announced, Rubio claimed the interim government is meeting agreed-upon deadlines to replace the Supreme Court and the electoral council. He emphasized that the infrastructure of elections must be changed quickly, rejecting longer timelines of two, five, or ten years.

The U.S. Secretary of State also cited compliance with national security demands as a factor in the ongoing negotiations. These demands include diminishing Iranian and Cuban influence, pursuing criminal organizations, and extraditing individuals wanted by American authorities. Rubio said the administration uses sanctions relief and economic licenses as incentives for the interim government to cooperate with the transition.

When asked by CBS News whether incentives such as immunity from prosecution were offered to Delcy Rodríguez and her brother Jorge, who leads the National Assembly, Rubio said there was no talk of prosecutions. He did not directly confirm whether immunity had been offered. Rubio noted that he personally discouraged Machado from returning only once, immediately after a specific event, because the focus at that time was on getting humanitarian aid into the country.

Machado has criticized some of the Trump administration's economic deals with the interim government, including an agreement on oil extraction. Rubio defended the deal as a way to attract private investment, saying Machado's objections were separate from the issue of democratic elections. He stated that she did not have to agree with or like the arrangement.

Rubio warned that if the interim authorities stop complying or harm the process, the United States will face a problem. He expressed confidence that the current leadership will continue to cooperate. The comments came as the U.S. also pressures Cuba to make dramatic political and economic changes, with Rubio recently encouraging Cuban citizens to work with the Central Intelligence Agency if they want positive change.