Amidst escalating political tensions, Venezuelan opposition figures and their supporters staged demonstrations across the country on Thursday, January 9, 2025, in a final push to challenge President Nicolás Maduro's impending third term inauguration. A key figure in these protests was Maria Corina Machado, a prominent opposition leader who had been out of public view for several months, reemerging to participate in the demonstrations.
The protests highlight the continuing power struggle between the opposition and Maduro's ruling party, stemming from a contested presidential election the previous year. Both sides claim victory, creating a political deadlock. While official bodies declare Maduro the winner, they have not released detailed vote counts, fueling the opposition's accusations of electoral manipulation.
Machado, a popular figure barred from running in the 2024 election, made a notable appearance at a protest in Caracas, urging supporters to engage in peaceful demonstrations and calling on the security forces to acknowledge the opposition's claimed victory. Her return to the public eye underscores the escalating tensions surrounding Maduro's inauguration.
The image captures a supporter of Venezuela's opposition reacting amidst fellow protesters in Caracas, Venezuela, on January 9, 2025, prior to President Nicolas Maduro's inauguration for a third term. (Reuters/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria)
The government, which has accused the opposition of plotting against it, has threatened to arrest opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez if he returns to Venezuela. They have also detained several opposition members and activists leading up to the inauguration. The opposition maintains that Gonzalez won the election decisively and has presented its own vote tallies as proof, garnering international support for its claims.
The protests drew thousands of participants in Caracas and other cities, including Maracaibo, Valencia, San Cristobal, Barquisimeto, and Puerto Ordaz. Demonstrators expressed frustration over the economic and social conditions in the country, with many hoping for a change that would encourage their emigrated family members to return. Security forces responded to some protests with tear gas, highlighting the volatile political climate.
Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, enjoys strong backing from the armed forces and intelligence services. He has downplayed the significance of the protests, while the military's entrenched financial interests make any significant shift in loyalty unlikely.
Gonzalez, who has been traveling internationally and met with U.S. President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump's national security advisor, has vowed to return to Venezuela but has not disclosed how he intends to do so. An arrest warrant was issued for Gonzalez on conspiracy charges, leading to his departure to Spain in September.
The political standoff continues as the opposition challenges Maduro's legitimacy and the government cracks down on dissent. The protests and Machado's reappearance signal a renewed phase in the ongoing power struggle, with the future of Venezuela's political landscape remaining uncertain.
