Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado's attempts to return to Venezuela after recent earthquakes have caused significant frustration within the Trump administration. Officials view her actions as political opportunism that adds unnecessary drama and risks inflaming tensions. Machado, a former favorite of Washington, believes the recent election was rigged and that Maduro's vice president was installed by the U.S. She has been lobbying U.S. officials to facilitate her return to Venezuela, but her aggressive advocacy has proven counterproductive. Her recent attempts to fly into Venezuela via Curacao and Panama were unsuccessful, causing communication issues for the State Department. U.S. policy is officially neutral regarding Machado's return, but her efforts are seen as a distraction from crucial earthquake relief efforts. Officials are concerned her continued activism could lead to civil unrest. Machado states she wishes to return to support her fellow Venezuelans, but the U.S. government expects her to try again. She is currently living in the U.S. on an expired Venezuelan passport. The U.S. State Department is leading a major recovery effort in Venezuela.