Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was briefly detained on Thursday after participating in a protest against President Nicolás Maduro’s third-term inauguration, according to local media and her party officials.
Machado, who has been in hiding since the contested July 2024 elections, made her first public appearance in months to lead demonstrations in Caracas. The protest, organized on the eve of Maduro’s swearing-in, saw tensions escalate as opposition supporters rallied against the government.
In a statement on social media, Machado’s team alleged she was “violently intercepted” while leaving the rally. They claimed that shots were fired at her motorcycle convoy during the incident. Shortly after, Machado reassured her supporters in a message on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “I am in a safe place and more determined than ever to continue UNTIL THE END!” She promised to provide further updates on Friday.
Machado, wearing a helmet to conceal her identity, left the protest on a small motorcycle. Her public reappearance marked a significant moment, as she had avoided public events since the government barred her from running in the July elections and issued warrants against her.
Government Denials and Reactions
Venezuelan Information Minister Freddy Ñáñez dismissed reports of Machado’s detention as “media distraction tactics” by the opposition, labeling the claims as deceptive. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello also denied the opposition’s account, stating, “If there were a decision to detain her, she would be detained.”
Exiled opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez, who fled to Spain after the controversial July election, condemned the incident, calling for Machado’s immediate release. Gonzalez reiterated claims of electoral fraud and declared himself the rightful president-elect.
Spain’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning Machado’s detention, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the rights of political opposition. Other international entities, including the European Parliament and the U.S., have previously recognized Gonzalez as the legitimate election winner.
Despite international support, the opposition’s efforts are unlikely to prevent Maduro’s inauguration on Friday, solidifying his third term amid widespread political unrest.
