Amid ongoing civil unrest and claims of fraudulent elections, the UN voiced concern over state-sponsored intimidation and arbitrary detentions in Venezuela.
**Venezuelan Opposition Leader Detained During Protest, Then Released Amid Tensions**
**Venezuelan Opposition Leader Detained During Protest, Then Released Amid Tensions**
Venezuelan authorities briefly detain opposition leader María Corina Machado as she rallies against President Maduro’s controversial inauguration.
In a tense political atmosphere leading to President Nicolás Maduro's third inauguration, opposition leader María Corina Machado was briefly taken into custody after speaking at a protest rally in eastern Caracas. Her motorcycle convoy was reportedly attacked, and she was forced to record videos while detained, according to opposition sources.
Venezuela’s information minister, Freddy Nanez, dismissed these allegations, attributing them to a "media distraction." Last July, Maduro was proclaimed the winner of a disputed election; however, both the opposition and numerous international governments, including the U.S., have denounced the election results as fraudulent. They recognize exiled opposition candidate Edmundo González as the legitimate president-elect. González had fled to Spain in September, and now he is traversing the Americas to garner global support.
The Maduro government has issued an arrest warrant for González, offering a bounty of $100,000 for any leads on his capture. Machado, who was replaced by González on the ballot after being barred from running, has faced increasing pressure from the regime. After the elections, she went into hiding, with her last public appearance in August preceding the current protest rally.
The United Nations has raised alarms over reports of arbitrary detentions and intimidation tactics by the Maduro government during this critical period. Among the recent detentions is Carlos Correa, leader of a press freedom NGO, who was abducted by unidentified men, highlighting the climate of fear surrounding political dissent in Venezuela.
Thousands of police officers have been deployed across Caracas in anticipation of opposition marches, which seek to disrupt Maduro's inauguration ceremony. In several cities, including Valencia and Maracay, police have resorted to using tear gas against peaceful demonstrators.
Despite the crackdown, protesters in different areas of the country, voicing their demands for justice, insist that they will not be silenced. The ongoing political struggle in Venezuela poses significant challenges as the opposition strives to assert its legitimacy while the Maduro regime seeks to maintain control amid rising discontent.
Venezuela’s information minister, Freddy Nanez, dismissed these allegations, attributing them to a "media distraction." Last July, Maduro was proclaimed the winner of a disputed election; however, both the opposition and numerous international governments, including the U.S., have denounced the election results as fraudulent. They recognize exiled opposition candidate Edmundo González as the legitimate president-elect. González had fled to Spain in September, and now he is traversing the Americas to garner global support.
The Maduro government has issued an arrest warrant for González, offering a bounty of $100,000 for any leads on his capture. Machado, who was replaced by González on the ballot after being barred from running, has faced increasing pressure from the regime. After the elections, she went into hiding, with her last public appearance in August preceding the current protest rally.
The United Nations has raised alarms over reports of arbitrary detentions and intimidation tactics by the Maduro government during this critical period. Among the recent detentions is Carlos Correa, leader of a press freedom NGO, who was abducted by unidentified men, highlighting the climate of fear surrounding political dissent in Venezuela.
Thousands of police officers have been deployed across Caracas in anticipation of opposition marches, which seek to disrupt Maduro's inauguration ceremony. In several cities, including Valencia and Maracay, police have resorted to using tear gas against peaceful demonstrators.
Despite the crackdown, protesters in different areas of the country, voicing their demands for justice, insist that they will not be silenced. The ongoing political struggle in Venezuela poses significant challenges as the opposition strives to assert its legitimacy while the Maduro regime seeks to maintain control amid rising discontent.
