Venezuelan opposition leader Machado free after brief detention leaving march, movement says

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has been released after a brief detention, marking her first public appearance in months. Her "Vente Venezuela" movement organization announced the news. According to the group, Ms. Machado was detained and "violently intercepted" as she left an anti-government protest in the Chacao district, during which gunshots were also heard. They also stated that she was forced to film several videos while in detention.

Previously, Machado's ally, opposition leader and former presidential candidate Edmundo González, demanded Machado's immediate release. Meanwhile, government officials, including Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, claimed her arrest was a "fabricated lie." The opposition is holding protests across the country, attempting to pressure President Nicolás Maduro ahead of his swearing-in for a third six-year term.

The opposition stated on social media platform X that Machado was "violently intercepted as she left a march in the Chacao area." They also added, "We expect to confirm her condition in a few minutes. Agents of the regime fired on the motorcycle transporting her." The opposition and the ruling party are in ongoing disputes over the results of last year's presidential election, with both sides claiming victory.

Venezuela’s electoral body and Supreme Court said that Mr. Maduro won the July vote, although they never released detailed vote counts. Maduro's rule has been marked by a severe economic and social crisis. The government accuses the opposition of fomenting fascist plots against it and has stated that Mr. González would be arrested if he returned to Venezuela. Additionally, the government has detained several prominent opposition members and activists in the lead-up to the inauguration.

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino stated that Panama "demands and needs the full freedom of Ms. Machado" and "respect for her physical integrity." He posted on X, "The dictatorship is responsible for her life!" Meanwhile, the White House called for an end to the harassment of the political opposition by Maduro and his representatives. A White House spokesperson issued a statement shortly before Machado’s movement announced her release, stating, "We have and will continue to publicly condemn Maduro and his representatives’ attempts to intimidate Venezuela’s democratic opposition."

Venezuelan Information Minister Freddy Ñáñez said on Thursday that reports of Machado’s detention were a "media distraction." Ñáñez said on social media platform Telegram: "The right-wing has sold the idea that [Machado] was attacked and detained by ‘regime motorcyclists.’ Media distraction strategies are not new, so no one should be surprised. Especially from those who are fabricators of lies—the fascists."