“Tyranny will fall”: Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado vowed to come out of hiding on Thursday to lead the first major opposition demonstration in weeks, with the aim of derailing President Nicolas Maduro’s inauguration on Friday.
At the same time, the government also announced a march in support of the socialist president, who is due to take the oath of office for a third term before the National Assembly on Friday at noon (4:00 p.m. GMT).
The authorities have massively deployed law enforcement in the country, particularly in the capital Caracas, swearing that the inauguration will go ahead “in peace” and the “normality”.
They also carried out a wave of arrests, including that of former opposition candidate Enrique Marquez, accused of being part of a plot to overthrow Mr. Maduro.
It’s necessary “overcome fear”wants to convince Corina Machado, who has taken refuge in hiding since the threat of arrest hangs over her, but who has promised not to “to miss this historic day for nothing in the world”.
“We know that if we all go out, by the millions, how can a few hundred or a few thousand armed people (beat) 30 million Venezuelans”she told AFP on Monday.
The opposition claims the victory of its candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia in the July presidential election. She assures that the minutes of the polling stations that she collected prove that the former diplomat won the vote hands down (more than 67% of the votes) against “a regime that knows it is beaten” and completely isolated internationally.
Wave of arrests
The National Electoral Council (CNE) proclaimed the outgoing president the winner of the vote with 52% of the votes, but without publishing the minutes and the details of the votes, claiming to be the victim of computer hacking. A hypothesis considered implausible by many observers.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro gives a press conference at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas, January 8, 2025 / ZURIMAR CAMPOS / Venezuelan Presidency/AFP
The CNE’s announcement provoked spontaneous demonstrations throughout the country, which were harshly repressed. The post-election unrest resulted in 28 deaths, more than 200 injuries, and 2,400 people arrested for “terrorism”.
Security forces have made numerous arrests in recent days: some 150 people, according to Mr. Maduro, including an alleged FBI official and an American soldier who, according to him, were preparing a “terrorist attack”.
Enrique Marquez, opposition figure spearheading the legal battle against Maduro’s contested re-election, the respected Carlos Correa, director of a renowned human rights NGO, and the son-in-law of Mr. Gonzalez Urrutia also appear among those arrested.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello on Wednesday accused Mr. Marquez of being involved, along with the alleged FBI agent and Mr. Gonzalez Urrutia’s son-in-law, in a plan to “coup d’état” against Mr. Maduro.
Venezuelan opponent Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia greets his supporters in Panama, January 8, 2025 / ARNULFO FRANCO / AFP
In this context, and after the repression of major demonstrations in 2014, 2017 and 2019, which left more than 200 dead and triggered the opening of an investigation by the International Criminal Court, many observers question the capacity of the opposition to mobilize its supporters. Even if polls assure that a large majority of the country wants change.
The opposition has repeatedly called on the police and the army, one of the pillars of power, to “put down your arms” and to respect the popular will. In vain.
One hour flight
Exiled in Spain since September, Mr. Gonzalez Urrutia has carried out a diplomatic tour in recent days which notably took him to the White House. He is due to travel to the Dominican Republic on Thursday, barely an hour’s flight from Venezuela. He has signaled his intention to land in Caracas on Friday to take the oath of office in Mr. Maduro’s place, a plan that appears uncertain.
A search notice of opponent Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia plastered on a pole in Caracas, January 8, 2025 / Pedro MATTEY / AFP
The Venezuelan authorities, who put a price of 100,000 dollars on the head of Mr. Gonzalez Urrutia, promised prison to all those who accompanied him, affirming that they would react as if they were facing a « force d’invasion ».
“What will happen on January 10 is the swearing-in of our only constitutional president, our comrade worker president Nicolas Maduro. Everything else… The revolution is here to stay for a long time. Here the laws are respected »assures Luis Cortez, commander of the «Cathedral Collective»asked about possible unrest Thursday or Inauguration Day.
According to Phil Gunson, of the International Crisis Group (ICG), these paramilitary or parapolice groups, feared by part of the population, are accused during demonstrations of carrying out “dirty work” instead of law enforcement.
