Venezuela: Maduro sworn in as Prez despite election loss

Associated Press

Caracas (Venezuela): Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was sworn in Friday to serve a third six-year term, extending his increasingly repressive rule until 2031 despite protests and credible evidence that his opponent won the election. Venezuela's legislative palace, where he was sworn in, was heavily guarded by police, military and intelligence officers. Crowds of people, many sporting pro- Maduro T-shirts, gathered in adjacent streets and a nearby plaza.

Standing before officials, Maduro cited historic figures including his predecessor, Hugo Chávez. “I swear by history, I swear by my life,” Maduro said. His followers erupted into cheers. One of them was Maricarmen Ruiz, 18, who couldn't hold back her tears. “I don't have words to express my emotion, I'm happy,” she said, expressing relief that opposition leader Edmundo González wasn't “imposed” instead as president. The opposition collected tally sheets from more than 80 per cent of electronic voting machines following the July 28 election, posted the tallies online and said they show González won twice as many votes as Maduro. On Thursday, as hundreds of anti-Maduro protesters took to the streets of the capital, Caracas, aides to opposition leader María Corina Machado said she was briefly detained by security forces and coerced into recording videos.

The popular former lawmaker, whom the government has barred from running for office, had emerged from months of hiding to join the rally to demand González be sworn in instead of Maduro. Machado addressed the rally then left on a motorcycle with her security convoy. Machado's press team later announced on social media that security forces “violently intercepted” her convoy.

Her aides confirmed to The Associated Press that the opposition hardliner was detained. Leaders in the Americas and Europe condemned the government for suppressing opposition voices and demanded her release. US President- elect Donald Trump expressed his support for Machado and González. “These freedom fighters should not be harmed, and MUST stay SAFE and ALIVE!” Trump said on Truth Social.