María Corina Machado remains in exile outside Venezuela as of early September 2026, with her return tied to ongoing U.S.-backed transition talks between the interim government under Delcy Rodríguez and select opposition figures. Recent catalysts include devastating June earthquakes that prompted her public push to reenter for relief coordination, though U.S. officials discouraged the move to avoid political distractions or clashes, leading to aborted travel plans. Negotiations focus on electoral reforms, a new National Electoral Council, and lifting restrictions ahead of potential votes, but Machado has not participated directly and has questioned the legitimacy of oil agreements reached with Washington. Structural barriers such as her invalidated passport, detention risks, and the need for security assurances continue to shape timelines, with her statements emphasizing an imminent return once conditions align.