SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Opposition leader arrested and released in Venezuela

We are not afraid, shouted opposition leader María Corina Machado on the streets of Caracas, where she participated in a protest against Nicolás Maduro being sworn in again as Venezuela's president. Shortly afterwards, she was reported to have been arrested.

» Published: 09 January 2025

Opposition leader arrested and released in Venezuela
Photo: Matias Delacroix/AP/TT

It was Machado's first public appearance in several months, since she went underground in August due to the risk of being arrested.

Shortly after her speech to the demonstrators, her security personnel announced that she had been detained.

On social media, the personnel reported that a violent intervention was made against her when she left the demonstration and that shots were fired at the convoy she was traveling in.

A few hours after the detention, her staff announced that she had been released again, after being forced to record several video clips.

Machado called for the protest ahead of Maduro's installation for a third six-year term on Friday, despite the disputed election in July.

They wanted us to fight each other, but Venezuela stands united! Machado shouted from a truck on the streets of the capital on Thursday.

The 57-year-old politician urged supporters to come "in millions" to pressure Maduro to hand over power to Edmundo González Urrutia, the opposition candidate in exile who several international observers see as the rightful winner.

Machado herself had her presidential candidacy blocked by Maduro-loyal institutions in 2023.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Castle Summit for EU in February
1 MIN READ

Castle Summit for EU in February

The UN's Top Judge Becomes Prime Minister of Lebanon
1 MIN READ

The UN's Top Judge Becomes Prime Minister of Lebanon

Boko Haram suspected of deadly attack
1 MIN READ

Boko Haram suspected of deadly attack

Many dead and missing after landslide in Myanmar
1 MIN READ

Many dead and missing after landslide in Myanmar

Drones spotted over military areas in Germany
1 MIN READ

Drones spotted over military areas in Germany

Suspected Mafia Members Arrested in Spain
1 MIN READ

Suspected Mafia Members Arrested in Spain

Russia and Iran in a "strategic partnership"
1 MIN READ

Russia and Iran in a "strategic partnership"

New EU Billions to Ukraine
1 MIN READ

New EU Billions to Ukraine

EU Base Still Ill - But Soon Back
1 MIN READ

EU Base Still Ill - But Soon Back

Claims Russian control over key mine
1 MIN READ

Claims Russian control over key mine

Female Activist Released from Iranian Prison
1 MIN READ

Female Activist Released from Iranian Prison

Human Smugglers Believe in Good Times Under Trump
5 MIN READ

Human Smugglers Believe in Good Times Under Trump

Mixed reactions to possible Gaza agreement
2 MIN READ

Mixed reactions to possible Gaza agreement

"Musk must be kept away from the White House"
1 MIN READ

"Musk must be kept away from the White House"

Russia: Ukraine attacked the last gas pipeline
2 MIN READ

Russia: Ukraine attacked the last gas pipeline

Gave money to Ukraine - gets nine years in prison
1 MIN READ

Gave money to Ukraine - gets nine years in prison

South Korea: 300 North Korean soldiers killed
1 MIN READ

South Korea: 300 North Korean soldiers killed

Delayed Virgin Flight for Bezos' New Rocket
1 MIN READ

Delayed Virgin Flight for Bezos' New Rocket

Death toll rises in California – new weather alert
3 MIN READ

Death toll rises in California – new weather alert

Gorilla Baby Found in Airplane Cargo Hold
1 MIN READ

Gorilla Baby Found in Airplane Cargo Hold