Nicolás Maduro is poised to extend his presidency in Venezuela until 2031, despite widespread allegations of electoral fraud and protests against his controversial third six-year term. Maduro is set to be sworn in on Friday, amid mounting international criticism, reports AP.
Protests and Detention of Opposition Leader
On Thursday, hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Caracas, demanding the inauguration of opposition candidate Edmundo González, whom they believe legitimately won the recent presidential election.
Opposition leader María Corina Machado, a prominent figure barred from running for office, joined the rally after months of operating from hiding. She addressed the crowd, calling for the recognition of González as president, before leaving the scene on a motorcycle with her security convoy.
Shortly after, Machado’s press team reported on social media that her convoy had been intercepted violently by security forces. Her aides confirmed to the Associated Press that she was briefly detained and coerced into recording videos.
International Condemnation
The detention of Machado sparked outrage from leaders across the Americas and Europe. Several nations condemned Maduro’s government for suppressing opposition voices and demanded Machado’s immediate release.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump expressed support for both María Corina Machado and Edmundo González, adding to the international pressure on Maduro’s administration.
As the inauguration looms, Venezuela faces a deepening political crisis, with questions surrounding the legitimacy of its leadership and increasing unrest among its population.
