Thousands of Venezuelan opposition supporters take to the streets ahead of Maduro’s third inaugration

Venezuelan opposition parties and their supporters took to the streets across the country on Thursday in a final attempt to exert pressure on President Nicolás Maduro, just one day before he is set to be inaugurated for his third consecutive six-year term. Maria Corina Machado, the most prominent opposition leader in Venezuela, made a public appearance for the first time since August when she went into hiding at an undisclosed location.

President Nicolás Maduro, aged 62, has been in office since 2013 and is facing intense scrutiny and criticism amidst a deep economic and social crisis in the country. The opposition and the ruling party have been embroiled in a bitter dispute over last year’s presidential election, with both sides claiming victory. While the country’s electoral authority and top court assert that Maduro won the July vote, detailed tallies have not been disclosed.

The government has accused the opposition of instigating fascist plots against it and has taken measures to detain prominent opposition members and activists ahead of the inauguration. Opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez, whom the opposition claims won in a landslide victory, faces arrest should he return to Venezuela. The opposition has garnered support from governments worldwide, including the United States, which recognizes Gonzalez as the rightful president-elect.

During the protests, Maria Corina Machado joined supporters in Chacao, eastern Caracas, urging peaceful demonstrations and calling on members of the police and military to support Gonzalez’s victory. The crowd, estimated at around 7,000 people, gathered in Caracas, with thousands more participating in protests in the days following the election.

Security forces were deployed across the country, setting up checkpoints and dispersing opposition protests in cities like Maracaibo and Valencia. Despite facing opposition, Maduro enjoys strong backing from leaders in the armed forces and intelligence services, reducing the likelihood of a military rebellion.

Opposition supporters, many of whom are retirees, expressed frustration with the current government’s policies that have led to economic hardship and forced many Venezuelans to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities. The ruling party organized counter-protests to show support for Maduro, emphasizing the need for unity and denouncing foreign intervention.

Edmundo Gonzalez, who has been on a diplomatic tour meeting with world leaders, remains committed to returning to Venezuela despite facing an arrest warrant for alleged conspiracy. Maria Corina Machado is under investigation in multiple cases but has not been subject to a public arrest warrant.

The Venezuelan diaspora also joined in solidarity with protests held in various cities worldwide. In Madrid, Carolina Gonzalez, daughter of Edmundo Gonzalez, addressed hundreds of demonstrators, conveying her father’s gratitude for their support.

The political turmoil in Venezuela persists as the country braces for Maduro’s inauguration and the ongoing resistance from the opposition. The future of Venezuela remains uncertain as internal and external pressures continue to shape the nation’s political landscape.