Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado was arrested Thursday after her convoy was intercepted by security forces, her aides reported.
Machado had just emerged from months of hiding and reappeared in public to rally against President Nicolás Maduro’s government.
According to her press team, security forces fired at Machado’s motorcycle convoy as it departed an anti-government protest in eastern Caracas. There were no immediate details about her location, and Maduro’s government has not yet issued a statement.
Protests in Support of Opposition Candidate Edmundo González
Earlier Thursday, mass demonstrations in cities including Caracas, New York, Madrid, Buenos Aires, and Brussels supported opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia.
The protests coincided with González’s announcement of his return to Caracas to claim the presidency. He presented copies of ballot papers, asserting his victory in the July 28 election.
Tensions were high as hundreds of Venezuelans gathered in Caracas, with opposing groups marching in different locations. Some rallied with Machado against Maduro, while others celebrated and supported Nicolás Maduro’s upcoming swearing-in.
Machado addressed her supporters, wearing a Venezuelan flag on her sleeve, and declared González the rightful winner of the election. Meanwhile, González delivered a message of hope from the Dominican Republic’s National Palace, promising a future in freedom.
Venezuela at a Crossroads
The political atmosphere in Venezuela remains tense as Maduro prepares to be sworn in for a third term on Friday.
His administration has not released official election records, drawing significant international criticism. The confrontation between opposing factions has created a pivotal moment for Venezuela’s political future.
The global community continues to monitor the situation closely as events in Caracas unfold, potentially shaping the nation’s trajectory.