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Venezuela: The Opposition Accuses the Chavismo Regime of Holding María Corina Machado Hostage Before Releasing Her

  • Venezuela: The Opposition Accuses the Chavismo Regime of Holding María Corina Machado Hostage Before Releasing Her
    Venezuela: The Opposition Accuses the Chavismo Regime of Holding María Corina Machado Hostage Before Releasing Her
Region:
America
Category:
Politics
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The Venezuelan opposition leader, María Corina Machado, is free after being "intercepted" during a protest in Caracas on the eve of President Nicolás Maduro's inauguration, according to her political team.

On a day filled with tension and hope for the Venezuelan opposition, leader María Corina Machado returned to the streets of Caracas after months in hiding. Her appearance in the Chacao neighborhood, in the eastern part of the capital, was marked by a vibrant speech that ignited hope among thousands of supporters, but also by a violent episode that once again highlighted the repression exerted by Nicolás Maduro's regime.

Dressed in white and carrying a Venezuelan flag, Machado climbed an improvised stage amid a crowd chanting her name. “Today, all of Venezuela has taken to the streets. We are not afraid!” she declared as the emotional crowd sang the national anthem. With determination, the opposition leader announced: “From today, we are entering a new phase. Venezuela is free, and we will continue.”

Machado, a key voice against the Chavista authoritarianism, reappeared after months of threats and persecution in a context of growing repression following the 2024 presidential elections, which were denounced as fraudulent. Her last public act had been in August, shortly after the elections in which the opposition claims the regime “stole” victory from candidate Edmundo González Urrutia. Since then, Machado's whereabouts had been kept secret for security reasons.

Despite the regime's attempts to silence her voice, even by blasting loud music on a stage near the protest site, Machado managed to deliver her message. With her characteristic firmness, she stated: “We have broken down all the barriers that divided us. There is no other country on the planet as united as Venezuela.”

However, the euphoria of her speech quickly turned to concern. After stepping down from the stage, while traveling in a convoy of motorcycles, regime agents intercepted her route and opened fire. According to witnesses and her campaign team, armed men knocked her off her motorcycle, forcibly put her into a vehicle, and took her away.

“María Corina Machado was intercepted and knocked off the motorcycle she was traveling on. Firearms were discharged during the incident. She was forcibly detained and, during her captivity, was forced to record several videos before being released,” reported Comando Venezuela in a statement published on the social network X.

The episode, which lasted just over an hour, ended with Machado's release. Although she returned unharmed, the incident left the country on edge and sparked a wave of international condemnation. Leaders from Latin America and other countries demanded explanations from Maduro's regime and assurances for the opposition leader's safety.

The atmosphere in Caracas throughout the day had been tense. The streets were taken over by heavily armed security forces, while intelligence agents were deployed to strategic points to block opposition protests. Large stages with loud music were also set up in an attempt to divert the attention of demonstrators.

The day marked a new chapter in the Venezuelan opposition's struggle against Maduro's regime. Since her return to public life, Machado has relentlessly called for unity and peaceful resistance. In a recent interview, she had declared: “If anything happens to me, the instructions are very clear (...), no one will negotiate Venezuela’s freedom for my freedom.”

The episode also reflects the fragile situation in Venezuela, a country plagued by repression, allegations of electoral fraud, and political persecution. The 2024 presidential elections left a deep wound among the population, who face a regime determined to cling to power at all costs.

Machado's leadership and her ability to mobilize the masses, even in the face of adversity, have made her a symbol of resistance for Venezuelans. Her message, delivered from an improvised stage, resonated in every corner of the country: “That day changed history forever. The regime sank.”

Despite the challenges, the opposition continues to push forward with a robust strategy, driven by figures like María Corina Machado, who fearlessly confronts fear and authoritarianism. Her brief but impactful appearance made it clear that the fight for Venezuela’s freedom is far from over.