María Corina Machado, a prominent Venezuelan opposition leader, was detained on Thursday during a large-scale protest in Caracas against President Nicolás Maduro’s impending third-term inauguration. Her detention, described by her supporters as a “kidnapping,” has drawn widespread condemnation and intensified the country’s ongoing political crisis.
A Defiant Appearance After Months in Hiding
Machado, 57, has been a leading figure in Venezuela’s opposition, advocating for democratic reforms in a nation increasingly under authoritarian rule. Following months in hiding due to a government crackdown on opposition leaders, she made a dramatic public return on Thursday to lead the protests in Caracas.
Climbing onto a truck to address the thousands gathered, Machado declared, “We are not afraid,” in a defiant call for freedom. Shortly after her speech, she attempted to leave the demonstration but was intercepted. Her political team reported that she was “violently intercepted” and claimed that regime forces opened fire on the motorcycle transporting her.
The Venezuelan journalist Carla Angola echoed these allegations, writing on social media: “The regime has kidnapped María Corina.”
Tensions in Caracas Ahead of Maduro’s Inauguration
The protest marked the culmination of growing unrest in Venezuela’s capital as rival demonstrations unfolded across the city. Thousands of opposition supporters marched through the streets, waving Venezuelan flags and carrying signs proclaiming “González Presidente” in reference to Edmundo González, the opposition’s candidate in the contested 2024 presidential election.
Meanwhile, Nicolás Maduro’s supporters rallied in other parts of the city, including a “march for peace and joy” in the barrio of Petare, demonstrating their backing for the Socialist Party leader.
Maduro, who is scheduled to be sworn in on Friday, has faced accusations of election fraud from both domestic and international observers. Electoral authorities under the control of the ruling party declared Maduro the winner of the July 2024 election with 30% of the vote. However, opposition leaders published their own tallies, claiming González secured 67% of the vote. Independent organisations, including the Carter Center, have supported the opposition’s findings.
International Condemnation
Machado’s detention has provoked strong reactions both in Venezuela and abroad. Edmundo González, who now resides in exile in Spain, took to social media to demand her immediate release. “As president-elect, I demand the immediate release of María Corina Machado,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter). “To the security forces that kidnapped her, I say: don’t play with fire.”
Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino also denounced Machado’s detention, emphasising the need for her immediate release and respect for her personal safety.
Machado’s Role in Venezuela’s Opposition Movement
Machado has been a persistent critic of Maduro’s government and a central figure in Venezuela’s opposition. Her arrest highlights the increasing risks faced by opposition leaders in a country where political dissent is met with harsh crackdowns.
Her decision to lead Thursday’s protests was seen as a bold move in the face of significant personal danger. In a recent interview, Machado had acknowledged the risks but reaffirmed her commitment to the cause. “This is a cost that transcends every single one of us,” she said. “We need to do this. I am going to be with our people.”
Escalating Political Crisis
The backdrop to these events is Venezuela’s deepening political and economic crisis. The opposition, led by figures like Machado and González, has consistently challenged the legitimacy of Maduro’s presidency. González, who is currently in the Dominican Republic, met with regional leaders on Thursday and vowed to continue his fight for democracy in Venezuela.
“We Venezuelans will soon regain our freedom,” González said in a speech in Santo Domingo.
Machado’s detention has further galvanised opposition supporters, who view her as a symbol of resistance against Maduro’s regime. However, it also underscores the regime’s determination to suppress dissent ahead of Maduro’s inauguration.
