Venezuelan opposition coalition renews backing for Machado in transition plan

Venezuela’s Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD) reaffirmed its support for María Corina Machado at a meeting in Caracas on Sunday 18 October, when it presented a 14-point proposal for a democratic transition. The opposition coalition called for political prisoners to be released and presidential elections to be held as soon as possible. [1] [2]

The proposals also back Edmundo González Urrutia alongside Machado, according to Venezuelan outlet El Diario. It reported that the PUD’s secretary general, Roberto Enríquez, said Machado should be able to return to Venezuela soon to lead the process. ANP/AFP, in a report carried by Nieuws.nl, said the meeting’s concluding document called for her leadership to be recognised and supported. [2] [1]

This was a renewed endorsement, not evidence that Machado was appointed to lead the alliance for the first time. A May manifesto issued in the names of Machado, González Urrutia and PUD representatives had already given her a leading role in proposed negotiations over a presidential election. Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Board had described her as the PUD’s leader in research published in 2025. [3] [4]

The endorsement is the PUD’s, not a decision on behalf of every Venezuelan opposition group. The Canadian research said that Machado’s own party, Vente Venezuela, was not part of the coalition at the time, although she took part in its decision-making. [4]