Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was sworn in for a third six-year term after a reelection widely viewed as illegitimate and as his administration grows increasingly brazen in cracking down on its opponents.

The Venezuelan capital Caracas was getting ready on Friday to host the inauguration of President Nicolas Maduro's third consecutive term as leader. Several central avenues of the city were blocked for the celebration under heavy police patrols.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been sworn in to serve a third term despite credible evidence that his opponent won the July 2024 election

President Nicolás Maduro was sworn in for another six years on Friday, despite evidence that he lost a July election decisively.

Venezuela opposition leader Maria Corina Machado on Thursday emerged from hiding to lead last-ditch protests against the swearing-in of Nicolas Maduro for president after elections he is accused of stealing.

Self-exiled Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González says his son-in-law was kidnapped on Tuesday in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.View on euronews

Venezuela pro-democracy figurehead Maria Corina Machado was briefly detained by security forces after emerging from months of hiding to lead a protest

Police are out in force in the streets of Venezuela’s capital as the opposition calls for major anti-government protests.

During her detention, an aide said, Maria Corina Machado “was forced to record several videos.” She has garnered enormous support for her opposition to Nicolás Maduro.

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, in office since 2013, is due to take the oath of office for a third term Friday despite a global outcry that brought thousands out in protest on the ceremony's eve.

People in the streets of Caracas reacted Friday to Nicolás Maduro being sworn in as president of Venezuela for a third consecutive term. (AP/ Juan Arraez)