Athens:US Secretary of State Marco Rubio dismissed reports that the United States urged foreign governments to prevent Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado from returning to Venezuela.

According to Anadolu Agency, Rubio stated during a news conference with Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis that the US had not asked any country to restrict Machado's movements. He emphasized that the reports were not based on facts.

Rubio further criticized the media claims, arguing that they do not reflect established truths and that he could not address allegations built on misinformation.

Maria Corina Machado, who leads the opposition group Vente Venezuela, is a key political opponent of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. In January, Maduro was captured by the US in a raid. Machado has also been recognized internationally, receiving the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her dedication to promoting democratic rights in Venezuela.

Machado's return to Venezuela has faced obstacles, with authorities reportedly blocking her entry three times in less than a day in late September, as stated by her senior adviser David Smolansky to CBS News.