Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has been arrested during her first public appearance in months. The opposition reported on social media that she was “forcibly” detained while leaving a demonstration in the capital city of Caracas.
Human Rights Watch also confirmed the arrest and urged the international community to take action. Protests have erupted in Venezuela as Nicolás Maduro is set to be inaugurated as the country’s president again tomorrow.
Demonstrators are making a last-ditch effort to prevent him from starting his third term. The opposition alleges widespread electoral fraud and asserts that Maduro did not win the July elections fairly, with support from many Western countries.
Official counts have never been released, and observers were not allowed. Machado had announced her intention to attend the protests surrounding the inauguration after months in hiding.
She was barred from participating in the elections, leading the opposition to nominate Edmundo González as their presidential candidate. He has also announced his return to Venezuela tomorrow after an international tour to be inaugurated as president.
Source: NOS