Maria Corina Machado, the leading opposition leader in Venezuela, has declared her movement prepared to win a free election, praised U.S. President Donald Trump for overthrowing Nicolas Maduro, and promised to return home soon.

“I’m planning to go back to Venezuela as soon as possible,” said Machado, 58, a lawyer and mother of three, who fled the country in October to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, which she dedicated to Trump.

“We believe this transition should move forward,” she told Fox News. “We won an election in 2024 by a landslide under fraudulent conditions. In free and fair elections, we will win over 90% of the votes.”

Since the Nobel prize was announced on October 10, Machado and Trump have not communicated. The president of the United States has stated that a 30-day timeline is unrealistic and that Venezuela’s issues must be resolved before fresh elections. “The nation needs to be fixed first. Trump told NBC, “There’s no way the people could even vote.”

Machado did not disclose her current location or specific plans to return during her first interview since Maduro’s capture. She is wanted in Venezuela, and supporters of the Socialist Party continue to hold power. Instead of directly supporting Machado, Trump’s administration seems to be collaborating with Maduro’s ally, interim President Delcy Rodriguez.

“Delcy Rodriguez is one of the main architects of torture, persecution, corruption, and narco-trafficking,” Machado said. “She is a key ally of Russia, China, and Iran, rejected by the Venezuelan people, and cannot be trusted by international investors.”

Machado, who has revitalized Venezuela’s often fractured opposition, praised Trump for the raid that ousted Maduro. “January 3rd will go down in history as the day justice defeated a tyranny,” she said. 

“On behalf of the Venezuelan people, we are grateful for his courageous vision and the historic actions he has taken against this narco-terrorist regime. It’s a huge step toward a democratic transition.”