Caracas Erupts: Pro-Maduro Crowds Demand Freedom for Ousted Leader
Pro-Maduro supporters rally in Caracas, calling for freedom of former leader captured by US a month ago
Thousands of supporters of Venezuela’s former president Nicolás Maduro marched through the streets of the capital on Tuesday, demanding his immediate release one month after he was ousted and taken into U.S. custody following a deadly American military operation.
The protesters, many dressed in red and carrying Venezuelan flags and portraits of Maduro, gathered in central Caracas chanting slogans such as “Venezuela needs Nicolás.” The demonstration marked exactly one month since Maduro was removed from power and flown to New York, where he is facing drug trafficking charges in a U.S. federal court.
The march was organized by pro-Maduro groups and included public sector workers, party activists, and longtime supporters of the former leader. Participants accused the United States of violating Venezuela’s sovereignty and described Maduro’s arrest as an act of foreign aggression. Several speakers at the rally called for national unity and resistance against what they termed external interference.
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Since Maduro’s removal, Interim President Delcy Rodríguez has assumed leadership and is navigating a fragile political environment. Rodríguez has sought to maintain diplomatic engagement with Washington while also attempting to retain the backing of Maduro loyalists within the government and sections of the public that continue to view him as the legitimate leader.
Political analysts say Rodríguez’s position remains precarious, as demonstrations like Tuesday’s highlight the deep divisions within Venezuelan society. While some citizens see the change in leadership as an opportunity for reform and international re-engagement, others remain fiercely loyal to Maduro and demand his return.
The protests underscore the uncertainty surrounding Venezuela’s political future as Maduro’s legal proceedings continue in the United States. With public demonstrations growing and internal pressures mounting, the interim government faces the challenge of maintaining stability while addressing competing domestic and international demands.
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