The Venezuelan opposition leader was briefly detained during a protest in Caracas, where she called for resistance against Maduro's regime. Following her release, Machado's supporters continue to rally against government oppression.
Venezuelan Opposition Leader María Corina Machado Detained Amid Protests, Later Released
Venezuelan Opposition Leader María Corina Machado Detained Amid Protests, Later Released
María Corina Machado’s recent detention highlights rising tensions as Nicolás Maduro prepares for a controversial third term.
On January 9, 2025, María Corina Machado, a prominent figure in Venezuela's opposition, was forcibly detained during an anti-government protest in Caracas but was released shortly afterward, according to a statement from her political aide on X. Machado’s detention took place amid significant showings of public support, as thousands rallied against Nicolás Maduro, who is set to be inaugurated for a third term as president on January 10.
Her party reported that as she attempted to leave the gathering, she was violently intercepted, with regime forces allegedly opening fire on the motorcycles carrying her. Machado has faced escalating threats from the government and had remained in hiding until this appearance, which marked her first public event since August. She had called for nationwide and global protests against Maduro’s inauguration.
Images from the protest showed Machado standing atop a truck, leading chants of “Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!” from supporters who are aware of the risks associated with opposing the regime. A political aide detailed that during her detention, Machado was coerced into making several recorded statements before being released back into the crowd.
Meanwhile, Diosdado Cabello, Venezuela’s interior minister, dismissed reports of the incident, suggesting it was a ploy by the opposition to garner sympathy. The political climate is tense, with allegations that Maduro's recent electoral victory was fraudulent, and over 2,000 detentions have been reported since the contentious elections, impacting figures close to the opposition, including Edmundo González’s family members.
Before her brief detainment, Machado rallied her followers, asserting that their collective effort has prepared them for the final confrontation against the regime. She stated, "Whatever they do tomorrow, they’ve just buried themselves!" The opposition to Maduro appears to be intensifying, with the international community closely monitoring the increasingly volatile situation in Venezuela.
