Venezuelan Opposition Leader Maria Corina Machado Stages Public Protest Against Maduro's Power Retention

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado emerged from hiding on Thursday, facing potential arrest as she joined anti-government protests. These demonstrations aimed to prevent President Nicolás Maduro from maintaining power. "They wanted us to fight each other, but Venezuela is united," Machado declared to a few hundred supporters in the capital, waving a Venezuelan flag from atop a truck.

"We are not afraid!, We are not afraid!" chanted the protesters, who also sang the national anthem in support of Machado's bold stance against Maduro. The protests occurred a day before the National Assembly, controlled by the ruling party, was set to inaugurate Maduro for a third six-year term despite evidence suggesting he lost the election.

Security Forces and Opposition

Thursday's protests saw a smaller turnout as riot police were heavily deployed. Many Venezuelans, having witnessed security forces detain numerous opponents and bystanders since July's election, were hesitant to gather in large numbers. "Of course, there's fewer people," said empanada vendor Miguel Contrera as National Guard soldiers on motorcycles passed by. "There's fear."

Some demonstrators blocked a major avenue in an opposition stronghold, with many wearing red, yellow, and blue—the colours of the Venezuelan flag—answering Machado's call. They all rejected Maduro and pledged support for Edmundo González, Machado's last-minute replacement on the ballot, as Venezuela's legitimate president.

International Recognition and Reactions

The deployment of security forces and pro-government armed groups known as "colectivos" to intimidate opponents highlights Maduro's insecurity, according to Javier Corrales, a Latin America expert at Amherst College. Since the elections, over 2,000 people have been arrested by the government, including around 10 Americans and other foreigners accused of plotting against Maduro.

This week alone saw masked gunmen detain a former presidential candidate, a prominent free speech activist, and even González's son-in-law while taking his children to school. "It's an impressive show of force but it's also a sign of weakness," said Corrales. He co-authored an article titled "How Maduro Stole Venezuela's Vote" in the Journal of Democracy.

Opposition Efforts and International Support

González has been travelling across the Americas after fleeing to Spain in September. He appeared to retract his promise to return to Venezuela on January 10 to assume office himself, stating instead that he would return "very soon." While visiting the Dominican Republic and meeting with President Luis Abinader and former Latin American presidents, he remarked, "It's evident that a regime like that represents a threat to the hemisphere."

The National Electoral Council of Venezuela declared Maduro the election winner without providing access to voting records or precinct-level results. However, the opposition gathered tally sheets from 85% of electronic voting machines and published them online. These sheets showed González defeating Maduro by more than two-to-one.

Global Observations and Recognition

Experts from both the United Nations and the Carter Center confirmed the legitimacy of these tally sheets published by the opposition. The US and other governments have recognised González as Venezuela's president-elect. Even many of Maduro's former leftist allies in Latin America plan to skip Friday's swearing-in ceremony.

President Joe Biden met with González at the White House this week and praised him for inspiring millions. "The people of Venezuela deserve a peaceful transfer of power to the true winner of their presidential election," Biden stated after their meeting.