Venezuela: Maduro's Presidency Extended Amid Protests and Controversy

President Nicolás Maduro is set to continue his rule in Venezuela until 2031, following his inauguration on Friday. This comes despite widespread allegations that his opponent, Edmundo González, actually won the recent election. Many people in the capital, Caracas, protested against Maduro's new term, with some opposition leaders, like María Corina Machado, being detained by security forces. Machado had been urging people to support González instead of Maduro.

Leaders from other countries have criticized the Venezuelan government for suppressing opposition voices and demanded the release of Machado. The election results are disputed, with the opposition claiming González won, but the government's electoral authorities declared Maduro the winner without providing detailed vote counts. The U. S. -based Carter Center supported the opposition's tally. The government responded to protests with force, arresting over 2, 000 demonstrators and encouraging citizens to report suspected opposition members. At least 20 people were killed during the unrest. It's unclear if any heads of state will attend the inauguration, but Colombia's President Gustavo Petro has decided to skip the event due to detention concerns. González, who is in exile in Spain, has been threatened with arrest if he returns to Venezuela.

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