Venezuelans rally for opposition leader’s return and presidential elections

Nobel laureate Maria Corina Machado has been living in exile, with plans to return to Venezuela spoiled multiple times.Hundreds of supporters of Venezuela’s opposition leader Maria Corina Machado have taken to the streets to demand her safe return and presidential elections that could lead to a democratic transition in the country.In Caracas, hundreds of activists in sky blue shirts – the colour of Machado’s Venezuela" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="12382" data-entity-type="organization">Vente Venezuela party – rode motorcycles through the capital’s main avenues on Sunday, honking their horns and waving Venezuelan flags. Similar demonstrations were held in state capitals, including Valencia, Maracaibo and Merida.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Ireland defeats Israel in controversial UEFA Nations League matchlist 2 of 3Powerful storm floods US Northeast, causes power outageslist 3 of 3Pope pledges action on clergy child abuse in meeting with French survivorsend of list“This is not a matter of parties or politics,” said Flavio Valentini, a Venezuela" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="12382" data-entity-type="organization">Vente Venezuela activist in Caracas who grabbed a megaphone and addressed the crowd. “This is a movement for the people and by the people.”Machado has been living in exile for the past nine months and has had plans to return to Venezuela spoiled multiple times. Opposition activists have accused Venezuela’s government of blocking her return, a claim the authorities deny. Machado’s party said that on Monday night, the opposition leader made three unsuccessful attempts to return.“We hope this transition process leads us to presidential elections and consolidates a free, democratic country that will be the main ally of the United States,” said Anthony Romero, a leader for Venezuela" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="12382" data-entity-type="organization">Vente Venezuela, in the nation’s capital.The government has been widely accused of stealing elections, jailing dissidents and stifling freedom of speech. But late last week, Venezuela released more than three dozen political prisoners following a second round of talks backed by the US between the interim government and the opposition.