CARACAS, Venezuela — President Nicolás Maduro is set to continue his rule in Venezuela, officially taking his oath of office on Friday, which will extend his leadership until 2031. This comes amid growing allegations that his opponent won the recent election, as well as ongoing protests against his third six-year term.
On Thursday, Caracas saw a significant turnout of protesters opposing Maduro. Among them was María Corina Machado, a notable opposition leader. Her team reported that she was briefly detained by security forces and pressured to make video statements. Machado, who recently emerged from a period of avoiding authorities, attended the rally to advocate for opposition candidate Edmundo González to be inaugurated instead of Maduro.
After addressing the crowd, Machado left on a motorcycle with her security detail. However, reports suggested that her convoy was intercepted by security personnel, leading to her detention. The situation has garnered international attention, with leaders from the Americas and Europe strongly criticizing Maduro’s government for its actions against opposition figures. U.S. President Donald Trump voiced his support for Machado and González on social media, emphasizing the need for their safety.
Supporters of Maduro refuted claims of Machado’s arrest, labeling them as attempts by the opposition to create a crisis. The controversy surrounding Maduro’s inauguration underscores a history of claims regarding electoral fraud and harsh crackdowns on dissent.
Officials aligned with the ruling party declared Maduro the victor shortly after polls closed on July 28 but did not provide complete vote counts, raising further suspicions. In contrast, opposition groups gathered evidence suggesting González received significantly more votes than Maduro.
In response to the international outcry regarding alleged electoral misconduct, Maduro directed the country’s high court, which is packed with his allies, to examine the election’s results. Ultimately, the court upheld Maduro’s victory without any clear proof, further fueling skepticism around the legitimacy of the election.
Despite the chaos, tensions rose across the nation, leading to the arrest of more than 2,000 demonstrators, with reports of violence and brutality. Tragically, over 20 lives were lost during the protests, and disturbing accounts of torture surfaced from those taken into custody.
As the inauguration approaches, it remains uncertain whether world leaders will attend. President Gustavo Petro of Colombia, a known ally of Maduro, announced he would boycott the event after recent detentions of opposition members and human rights activists.
The last time Maduro was inaugurated, in 2019, the event saw the presence of leaders like Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz-Canel. However, the legitimacy of the 2018 elections was widely questioned due to the exclusion of major opposition parties.
It’s also unclear whether González, who sought refuge in Spain, will return to Venezuela as promised. Government officials have previously indicated they would arrest him upon his return, complicating the political landscape further.
The continuing situation in Venezuela highlights the challenges faced by the opposition and the ongoing struggle for democracy in the country.
