Venezuela Quake Fallout Turns Political as Machado Seeks Return

The aftermath of Venezuela's twin earthquakes has become a political crisis for acting President Delcy Rodriguez, whose interim mandate expires Friday. The disasters killed over 2,295 people and injured 11,000, with the government facing criticism for a slow and disorganized response. Exiled opposition leader and Nobel Peace laureate Maria Corina Machado, speaking from Panama, argued the government's failures demonstrate the need for her return to stabilize the country. Rodriguez defended her administration's relief efforts in a press conference on Thursday, but Machado insists Venezuela requires trustworthy figures to lead the transition process after the tragedy.