Venezuelans rally in several cities for Machado return and elections

Supporters of María Corina Machado rallied Sunday in Caracas, Valencia, Maracaibo and Merida for her return and elections. Activists in sky blue shirts rode motorcycle convoys through Caracas, honking and waving flags. Flavio Valentini told the crowd: "This is not a matter of parties or politics. This is a movement for the people and by the people." Romero said they hope for elections and "a free, democratic country that will be the main ally of the United States." Machado has been in exile nine months. A US military operation removed Nicolas Maduro in January; Delcy Rodriguez now leads. She told the UN Venezuela would hold elections as part of a transition to "full democracy" but gave no date. More than three dozen political prisoners were released late last week after US-backed talks; human rights groups say more than 300 remain. Rubio said Machado has "every right to enter her country whenever she wants to return." Contested: her party says seven return attempts this year; some accounts say three. Her chartered boat was canceled hours before departure and her Curacao flight denied landing permits. Activists say the government blocked her return; authorities deny it. Sources frame Maduro's exit as removed or abducted. No election date is set.