In a ceremony held under tight security, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was sworn in for a controversial third term on Friday. The event took place in a small room within the National Assembly, a stark contrast to the traditional grandeur associated with presidential inaugurations. The decision to hold the ceremony in such confined quarters reflects the escalating tensions surrounding his administration, particularly following international condemnation of the electoral process that led to his victory.
The United States has responded to the situation by announcing new visa restrictions targeting Maduro-aligned officials who are accused of undermining Venezuela's electoral integrity. This move comes alongside individual sanctions imposed on eight officials overseeing key economic and security agencies within the country. The U.S. has also extended Temporary Protected Status for eligible Venezuelan nationals for an additional 18 months, providing a temporary refuge for those fleeing the ongoing crisis.
As Maduro's inauguration unfolded, the European Union issued sanctions against 15 individuals linked to his government, accusing them of actions that compromise democracy, the rule of law, and human rights in Venezuela. Canada followed suit, sanctioning 14 current and former senior officials for their roles in supporting human rights violations.
Leading up to the inauguration, tensions escalated in Venezuela and its neighboring Colombia. Venezuela closed its land border and suspended flights to Colombia. This action came after Colombian officials announced they would not recognize the results of last summer's elections, which they deemed neither free nor fair. The Venezuelan opposition claims that their candidate, Edmundo González, won the presidential election with an overwhelming 67% of the vote. The U.S., along with various countries, has recognized González as the rightful president-elect.
Opposition leader María Corina Machado has vocally condemned Maduro's regime, asserting that it has trampled on Venezuela's constitution. She emphasized that “yesterday, hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans went to the streets with civility, courage and profound love,” highlighting the people's desire for democratic governance. However, her calls for reform were met with violence; her team reported that she was "violently intercepted" at an event on Thursday and forced to record videos during her detention.
The international community has echoed Machado's sentiments. The G7 criticized Maduro’s inauguration, asserting that it lacked "democratic legitimacy." They stated, “We reject Maduro’s continued and repressive grasp at power at the expense of the Venezuelan people.” Machado warned that pressure would only escalate until Maduro acknowledges the will of the Venezuelan people: “The pressure will increase even more until Maduro understands that this is over.”
Maduro, however, dismissed these opposition claims, referring to them as remnants of past failed attempts to destabilize his government. He remarked, “A Guaidó 2.0 talks to the people in the streets,” indicating his belief that opposition leaders lack genuine support and credibility.
Juan Guaidó, a prominent opposition figure and former interim president, asserted that Maduro's actions only confirm his "usurpation" of power. He declared, “The president of Venezuela is Edmundo González Urrutia,” reinforcing his stance against Maduro's legitimacy. Juanita Goebertus, another opposition leader, described the situation as a “culmination of an election that blatantly disregarded the people’s will and consolidates a dictatorship only sustained by brutal repression.”
In a dramatic turn of events, the U.S. also announced rewards for information leading to the arrest of Maduro and his close associate, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello. Each reward is set at $25 million, reflecting the maximum allowed under the State Department's narcotics reward program. This development underscores the U.S. government's commitment to holding accountable those responsible for human rights abuses and corruption within Venezuela.
As Venezuela grapples with these political upheavals, opposition leaders are calling for a renewed fight for freedom. The Plataforma de la Unidad Democrática stated, “A new phase begins today in this fight for the freedom of Venezuela throughout the national territory and in all sectors that form our nation.”
