Machado's detainment and subsequent release highlight the oppressive climate in Venezuela as opposition leaders face increasing threats from the Maduro government.
**Venezuelan Opposition Leader Detained Amid Protests Against Maduro**
**Venezuelan Opposition Leader Detained Amid Protests Against Maduro**
María Corina Machado briefly detained while rallying support against Nicolás Maduro’s impending inauguration.
Venezuela’s prominent opposition figure, María Corina Machado, experienced a brief detention on Thursday during an antigovernment protest in Caracas. The incident occurred just before Nicolás Maduro was scheduled to take an oath for his third presidential term. According to a statement from her aide on social media platform X, Machado was “violently intercepted” and “regime troops shot at the motorcycles” that were meant to transport her following the event.
Ms. Machado, who had been living covertly to evade government arrests, made her first public appearance since August, calling for nationwide protests against Mr. Maduro’s presidency. The protest in Caracas drew substantial crowds as citizens rallied behind her with chants of “Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!”
Magalli Meda, Machado’s aide, detailed that as the opposition leader attempted to leave the protest, she was forcibly removed from her motorbike, revealing that “firearms went off” during the chaos. She confirmed that while detained, Machado was compelled to record several videos. However, she was eventually released and plans to address the nation shortly to recount her experience.
While representatives for Machado have refrained from identifying those responsible for her detention, security forces were reported to be present at the event, who often operate in conjunction with armed gangs known as colectivos. Diosdado Cabello, Venezuela’s interior minister, dismissed reports of her capture as “a lie” aimed at garnering publicity for the opposition.
The challenge against Maduro’s regime escalated following allegations that the recent election was marred by deceit, with many claiming that Edmundo González, a former diplomat allied with Machado, was the rightful winner. González has been residing in exile since September. Prior to her detention, Machado asserted to her supporters, “This force that we have built is ready for this final phase,” emphasizing resilience against the Maduro administration. Current reports indicate more than 2,000 individuals have encountered detainment since the July election, underscoring the high-stakes environment for dissent in Venezuela.
Ms. Machado, who had been living covertly to evade government arrests, made her first public appearance since August, calling for nationwide protests against Mr. Maduro’s presidency. The protest in Caracas drew substantial crowds as citizens rallied behind her with chants of “Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!”
Magalli Meda, Machado’s aide, detailed that as the opposition leader attempted to leave the protest, she was forcibly removed from her motorbike, revealing that “firearms went off” during the chaos. She confirmed that while detained, Machado was compelled to record several videos. However, she was eventually released and plans to address the nation shortly to recount her experience.
While representatives for Machado have refrained from identifying those responsible for her detention, security forces were reported to be present at the event, who often operate in conjunction with armed gangs known as colectivos. Diosdado Cabello, Venezuela’s interior minister, dismissed reports of her capture as “a lie” aimed at garnering publicity for the opposition.
The challenge against Maduro’s regime escalated following allegations that the recent election was marred by deceit, with many claiming that Edmundo González, a former diplomat allied with Machado, was the rightful winner. González has been residing in exile since September. Prior to her detention, Machado asserted to her supporters, “This force that we have built is ready for this final phase,” emphasizing resilience against the Maduro administration. Current reports indicate more than 2,000 individuals have encountered detainment since the July election, underscoring the high-stakes environment for dissent in Venezuela.
