Machado landed in Caracas on Sunday after nearly a year in exile, drawing jubilant crowds in a direct challenge to the US-backed government.
Thousands of people lined highways, toll plazas and city streets waving Venezuelan flags and chanting “Liberty!” as a beaming Machado entered the capital in a convoy of cars and motorbikes.
Wearing her trademark white T-shirt and blue jeans, she leaned through the sunroof of a vehicle to wave to the crowds and shake hands with supporters.
On Monday, Machado extended an olive branch to interim president Delcy Rodriguez, saying she was open to talks with the woman who served as deputy to her nemesis, president Nicolas Maduro, before his capture by the US.
Machado “has expressed her willingness to sit down not only with Delcy (Rodríguez), but with whoever she has to sit down with, before the country, with total transparency, and with an agenda,” Claudia Macero, her spokesperson, told local radio Union Radio.
The European Union hailed her comeback.
“We trust that the Venezuelan authorities and all political actors will seize this opportunity to advance an inclusive, Venezuelan-led dialogue towards free and fair elections,” EU foreign affairs spokesman Anouar El Anouni said.
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