ABC newspaper: Netherlands thwarted Machado’s return to Venezuela

ORANJESTAD — Aruba’s role as a potential transit point for María Corina Machado’s return to Venezuela features prominently in a reconstruction published by Spanish newspaper ABC. According to the report, the route through Aruba fell through because the aircraft intended to carry the opposition leader did not receive landing permission.

ABC journalists accompanied Machado in Panama, where her team sought alternatives after a planned sea journey was cancelled because of a reported mechanical problem with the boat.

The initial flight to Aruba encountered administrative obstacles over its classification as a private or commercial operation. Her team found another aircraft, but the newspaper reports that landing permission was subsequently denied.

Curaçao and Bonaire were also considered. ABC says Curaçao did not authorize the landing, while Bonaire was ruled out during the same round of arrangements.

The newspaper attributes the lack of authorization to Dutch authorities but does not clearly identify which agency made the decision for each island. Its account also contains no official explanation from Aruban authorities.

According to ABC, Machado held a special diplomatic passport issued by Panama on humanitarian grounds, without receiving Panamanian citizenship. The newspaper describes seven unsuccessful attempts to return to Venezuela, including the three most recent attempts by sea and through the ABC islands.