Maria Corina Machado leads the Vente Venezuela movement. Authorities briefly detained her on Thursday. They arrested her after she left a protest in eastern Caracas. Witnesses reported gunshots during the incident. Machado had just made her first public appearance in months. Protests spread nationwide as opposition groups pressured President Nicolas Maduro before his inauguration on Friday.
Her detention triggered strong reactions. Edmundo Gonzalez, a former presidential candidate, demanded her release. Several foreign governments condemned her arrest. Vente Venezuela reported that officials forced Machado to record videos. The group promised to release more details soon.
After her release, Machado posted on X. She wrote, “I’m in a safe place now and more determined than ever.” She pledged to share her experience on Friday.
Government officials denied arresting Machado. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello called the claims an opposition stunt. He accused Machado of staging the videos. The footage showed her sitting on a curb and mentioning a lost wallet. Cabello dismissed the allegations as “the absurdity of absurdities.”
Tensions remain high between the opposition and the ruling party. Both claim victory in last year’s presidential election. Electoral authorities declared Maduro the winner but did not release detailed results. Officials warned they would arrest Gonzalez if he returned to Venezuela.
Previously: Maduro’s Regime Intensifies Crackdown After Contested Election
Maduro says ready to release all Venezuela vote tallies.
Venezuela election: Maduro claims victory
Gonzalez Recognized as Venezuela’s Election Winner by the US
