Venezuelan politics descended into further chaos on Thursday when opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was briefly reported detained by security forces during protests in Caracas.
The confusion began after Machado, 57, left a rally on a motorcycle flanked by her security team. Her aides announced she had been intercepted violently, prompting international outrage and calls for her release, reported the Associated Press.
US President-elect Donald Trump also weighed in on the situation, expressing support for Machado and opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez. “These freedom fighters should not be harmed, and must stay safe and alive!” Trump wrote on Truth Social, amplifying international pressure on Maduro’s regime.
Shortly after, a 20-second video of Machado appeared online, where she stated she was unharmed but followed after leaving the rally. Her aides, however, claimed the footage was coerced, alleging she was briefly “kidnapped” and released only under pressure. The government denied her detention, accusing opposition leaders of fabricating the incident to destabilise the country.
Earlier that day, Machado addressed a crowd of supporters, urging them to stand firm against Maduro’s regime. “They wanted us divided, but Venezuela is united,” she declared. Despite her ban from running for office, Machado remains a key opposition figure, backing retired diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez, who reportedly won the presidential election by a landslide.
Maduro’s government, accused of manipulating the electoral process, continues to face domestic and international scrutiny. Security forces and pro-government groups patrolled the streets, intimidating demonstrators. Turnout was smaller than previous protests, with many citizens wary of repression.
As protests simmer, global leaders, including US President Joe Biden, have recognised Gonzalez as Venezuela’s rightful president.
