Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado waves a national flag during a protest called by the opposition on the eve of the presidential inauguration, in Caracas on January 9, 2025. Venezuela is on tenterhooks facing demonstrations called by both the opposition and government supporters. Machado emerged from hiding to lead protests in Caracas against the swearing-in of Nicolas Maduro for a highly controversial third term as president. (Photo by Juan BARRETO / AFP)
CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was arrested Thursday after coming out of hiding to lead a protest against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, a member of her entourage told AFP.
Minutes earlier, her team had reported on X that Machado, 57, was “violently intercepted upon exiting the rally,” and claimed shots had been fired at her motorcycle convoy.
Machado, who last appeared in public in August, arrived at the Caracas protest on the back of a van, waving a Venezuelan flag.
“Today all Venezuela took to the street! We are not afraid!” she told the thousands-strong crowd.
Her highly-anticipated appearance marked the climax of rallies held across the country on the eve of Maduro’s swearing-in for a third consecutive six-year term after elections he is accused of having stolen.
Machado went into hiding shortly after the July 28 vote the opposition says its candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia had won by a wide margin.