Rival demonstrations in Caracas as Venezuelan opposition leaders speak out

Rival groups gathered in Venezuela’s capital Caracas on the eve of President Nicolas Maduro’s inauguration for a third term on Friday, with opposition leader Maria Corina Machado making a rare public appearance.

Rival groups of demonstrators have gathered in Venezuela’s capital Caracas, on the eve of President Nicolas Maduro’s inauguration for a third term on Friday. In several parts of Caracas on Thursday, crowds of opposition supporters slowly swelled with people waving flags and calling for libertad (freedom). Supporters were also seen holding “Gonzalez Presidente” signs and blowing vuvuzelas. Meanwhile in Venezuela’s largest barrio Petare, Maduro supporters also assembled in what they call a “march for peace and joy.” Venezuela opposition leader Maria Corina Machado made a rare public appearance to join one of the protest groups, Reuters video showed. “I am here,” she posted on X, along with a video of herself at the protest, wearing jeans and the colors of the Venezuelan flag. Machado had not been seen in months, since Maduro’s government cracked down on Venezeulan opposition figures and their supporters following the summer’s contested presidential election.