Under pressure, Marcos lifted martial law in 1981, but the opposition to his presidency only increased. In 1983, despite warnings about his safety, Benigno Aquino flew back from the U.S.A., and was assassinated as he left the plane. Elections were scheduled for February 7, 1986, and Corazon Aquino, his widow, was persuaded to represent the opposition groups and to run against Marcos.