Maduro's son leads Caracas rally demanding father's release 200 days after US detention
Supporters of Venezuelan constitutional president Nicolas Maduro gathered in Plaza Caracas on Wednesday to demand his release, marking 200 days since his detention during a United States military operation.
The demonstration was led by Nicolas Maduro Guerra, the Venezuelan leader's son, who insisted his father was innocent of the charges against him, including conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism.
"That president is innocent of everything he is accused of and there is no material evidence that can prove that Nicolas Maduro is guilty of any of the crimes he is accused of," Maduro Guerra said. "Our task here is to resist."
He also called for national unity, saying Venezuelans wanted peace, prosperity and respectful relations with other countries, while urging the return of both Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
Maduro Guerra argued that lifting international sanctions was key to the country's economic recovery. "A broad national consensus is that they have to remove the blockade and sanctions so that we can take off as an economic power," he said.
Grassroots leader Gloria Lopez also addressed the rally, describing the legal proceedings against Maduro as a pretext to prolong his detention. She alleged the United States was motivated by Venezuela's oil and gold resources and said sanctions had worsened poverty.
The protest coincided with the third court hearing for Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores in New York, where Judge Alvin Wallerstein proposed 1st June 2027 as the start date for their trial.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
