Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado was arrested Thursday after her convoy was intercepted by security forces. Her team reported the arrest occurred as they were leaving an anti-government protest in Caracas.
Machado reappeared publicly earlier that day after months in hiding, seeking to prevent President Nicolás Maduro from consolidating power. Security forces allegedly fired on her motorcycle convoy as it departed eastern Caracas, where Machado had addressed supporters. Her current whereabouts remain unknown, and Maduro’s government has not issued a statement regarding her arrest.
Protests in Support of González and Maduro’s Third Term
Earlier Thursday, mass protests erupted in Caracas and other global capitals, including New York, Madrid, Buenos Aires, and Brussels. The demonstrations supported Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia, who announced his return to Caracas to assume the presidency.
González displayed ballot papers he claims prove his victory in the July 28 elections. Meanwhile, Nicolás Maduro’s supporters marched to celebrate his upcoming third term. The streets of Caracas saw rival demonstrations, with opposition members following Machado’s call to action and government supporters rallying for Maduro.
Machado, wearing a Venezuelan flag on her sleeve, led chants against Maduro and declared González the legitimate election winner. From the National Palace in the Dominican Republic, González sent a hopeful message, saying, “We will all see each other very soon in Caracas, in freedom.”
Tense Political Climate as International Eyes Watch
Venezuela remains on edge as Nicolás Maduro is set to be sworn in for a third consecutive term on Friday. His victory, however, remains contested as no official election records have been presented.
The ongoing confrontation between Maduro’s government and the opposition could shape Venezuela’s political trajectory. International observers are closely monitoring the developments, highlighting the day’s potential to define the country’s future.