Maria Corina Machado, leader of the Venezuelan opposition, was arrested Thursday in Caracas after participating in a demonstration against the inauguration of Nicolás Maduro. According to an opposition source, Maria Corina Machado was intercepted as she was leaving the demonstration. His team denounced X as a violent arrest, claiming that shots had been fired at the procession of motorcycles that accompanied him. Later in the day, the opponent was released by the authorities. During her kidnapping, she was allegedly forced to film videos.
A few days earlier, the 57-year-old leader had anticipated a possible arrest: “If something happens to me, the instructions are very clear […]no one will negotiate the freedom of Venezuela for my freedom. » Despite the threats, she declared that she did not want to miss the demonstration “for the world”.
A determined opposition despite the repression
During this mobilization, Maria Corina Machado, dressed in white and brandishing a Venezuelan flag, galvanized the crowd: “All of Venezuela is in the streets, we are not afraid! From today we enter a new phase. Venezuela is free, we will continue! »
His arrest sparked strong reactions. Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, opposition candidate in exile, who claims victory in the presidential election, demanded his “immediate release” and warned the authorities: “Don’t play with fire. » The Spanish government also expressed its “total condemnation” of this arrest.
Flash appearances by Maria Corina Machado
Before her arrest, Maria Corina Machado had adopted a strategy of flash appearances, climbing onto podium trucks to harangue the crowd, before disappearing on a motorbike to avoid capture. This modus operandi, which had worked during previous demonstrations, was foiled on Thursday by a significant deployment of security forces.
In the streets of Caracas, the atmosphere was tense. “I will leave my skin on the asphalt for my children, but it will be worth it because Venezuela will be free!” », Confided Rafael Castillo, a 70-year-old protester.
-Maduro accused of electoral fraud
Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who had initially planned to travel to Caracas on Friday to symbolically take the oath of office in place of Nicolás Maduro, will likely have to revise his plans, particularly because of the threat of arrest. The Venezuelan authorities have in fact promised a reward of $100,000 for his capture and are threatening those who accompany him with prison.
The opposition continues to claim the victory of Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, saying that polling station records prove that he received more than 67% of the vote. On the other hand, the National Electoral Council (CNE) proclaimed Nicolás Maduro the winner with 52% of the votes, while refusing to publish the minutes, citing “computer hacking”, an explanation considered not very credible by many observers.
Growing international tensions
The tense climate also has repercussions on the international level. Washington, which does not recognize the re-election of Nicolás Maduro, has rejected the latter’s accusations concerning an American plot to overthrow him. “Any accusation of participation in a plot to overthrow Nicolás Maduro is categorically false,” a State Department spokesperson said.
Find our file on Venezuela
Even before the arrest of Maria Corina Machado, the UN said it was “deeply concerned” about the detention of opponents in Venezuela. The High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk denounced a growing repression of dissent.
