Thousands of supporters rallied in the streets of Venezuela’s capital on Saturday in a show of solidarity with an opposition candidate who they believe won the presidential election by a large margin. Despite authorities declaring President Nicolás Maduro the winner of the election, voting tallies have not been produced to confirm his victory. The opposition candidate, María Corina Machado, who has been barred from running for office for 15 years, made a public appearance at the rally, despite being in hiding since Tuesday due to threats on her life and freedom. Supporters chanted and sang as Machado addressed the crowd, promising a new stage in their fight against the current regime. Masked assailants had ransacked the opposition’s headquarters the day before the rally, adding to the tension in the political climate. While Machado was given a nondescript shirt and whisked away on a motorcycle after the event, the other opposition leader, Edmundo González, remained in hiding and did not attend. Maduro also held a rally on the same day, urging his supporters to attend his own march. The situation remains tense in Venezuela, with both sides claiming victory in the election and vowing to continue their fight for power.
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Opposition leader in Venezuela joins protest demanding annulment of election results
