Whitney Eulich

SCOOP: Details on Maria Corina #Machado’s plans to return to #Venezuela, and on her attempt to travel there last week after the earthquakes. 1) Machado attempted to travel to Venezuela last week via Curacao, but called it off after the Trump administration made clear to the Dutch island, to Venezuelan authorities and to Machado’s team that the US didn’t support her return at this moment 2) Machado had hired private security contractors to get her into Venezuela and protect her while there. They've been in Curacao preparing for her arrival there, to take her to Venezuela 3) Machado doesn’t have a valid/current passport and requires permission to travel, so her entry into Venezuela would have been illegal without permission from Delcy Rodriguez’s government 4) The US feared a conflict with Venezuelan security forces, either on arrival or once inside the country 5) Machado still wants to make a quick return, but it’s not clear what the feasibility is after last week’s aborted journey bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

#Venezuela’s opposition leader María Corina Machado is planning to return to the country as soon as possible following this week's earthquakes. The planned move, according to people with direct knowledge of the matter, could reshape the political landscape as acting President Delcy Rodríguez struggles to respond to the nation’s worst natural disaster in decades. Several US officials have told Machado they’re worried her return could cause a confrontation with the current regime and distract from rescue efforts, the people said. But views are split, and she has received some encouragement from within the Trump administration, they said. It’s unclear whether the concerns among some Trump aides will delay her plans. Story by Andreina Itriago and me bloomberg.com/news/articles/…