Venezuelan anti-government protests a day before Maduro's inauguration

Anti-government protests were held in the capital, Caracas, a day before Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's inauguration.

On the 9th local time, a "street march against Maduro's third consecutive term" was held in the center of Caracas, led by Venezuelan opposition parties and civic groups.

The event also featured opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who had been hiding since the July 28 presidential election last year to avoid arrest by authorities.

"Venezuela will be free," Machado said in his speech. "We are not afraid, we give the glory of victory to the brave people."

Citing the Venezuelan opposition, AFP reported Machado was arrested by authorities after the rally.

Machado was "violently blocked on his way out of the rally," a party affiliated with Machado told X. "Someone opened fire on a motorcycle with Machado on it."

González, the opposition's former presidential candidate who claims to have won last year's presidential election, vowed to "start his term as Venezuela's president on the 10th."