Venezuelan opposition leader ‘violently intercepted’ while leaving rally ahead of Maduro’s inauguration
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Opposition and independent election observers claim Venezuela election was stolen with Maduro winning just 30 per cent votes. Venezuela opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said she is now safe after her aides said she was “violently intercepted” amid gunshots while leaving a protest in eastern Caracas.
![[Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado gives a speech during an anti-government protest]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/10/04/2193176206.jpg)
Opposition protests took place throughout the country in a bid to put pressure on president Nicolas Maduro ahead of his third inauguration on Friday. Ms Machado was detained after making her first public appearance in months, prompting her ally, former presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, to demand she be freed immediately. Several governments also condemned the incident.
![[Venezuelan citizens participate during a demonstration in support of anti-Chavista leader Maria Corina Machado]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/10/04/11816016.jpg)
Ms Machado’s political group, Comando Con Venezuela, wrote on X that she had been “violently intercepted” while leaving the rally. “During the period of her kidnapping she was forced to record several videos and was later released,” said her team in a separate update.
![[Venezuelan opposition members participate during a demonstration in support of anti-Chavista leader Maria Corina Machado]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/10/04/11815949.jpg)
"I’m in a safe place now and with more determination than ever," Ms Machado posted on the X platform after her release. “Tomorrow I will tell you what happened today and what is coming.”. “I have never felt so proud to be Venezuelan. Thank you, thank you, to all the citizens who took to the streets to claim our victory on July 28th and to OWN IT!” she added.
![[Venezuela opposition leader Machado appears at protest]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/10/04/2025-01-09T222342Z_1040467453_RC2I6CAQ8BAB_RTRMADP_3_VENEZUELA-POLITICS-PROTESTS.jpg)
Government officials, including interior minister Diosdado Cabello, said her arrest was fabricated by the opposition in a bid to generate support for her movement. "They end with the absurdity of absurdities, lying to say the government had captured Maria Corina," Mr Cabello said during a ruling party march in Caracas, accusing Ms Machado of filming the videos, which show her sitting on a curb and recounting losing her wallet during her detention.
