"All the regime has left is fear," Machado stated in a phone interview with AFP on Monday, January 6, asserting that opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia is the rightful president-elect. "The whole world knows," she added.

Maduro, who succeeded Hugo Chavez in 2013, faces limited international recognition for his electoral victory. The United States, G7 nations, and several Latin American countries have backed Gonzalez Urrutia, a 75-year-old ex-diplomat who replaced Machado as the opposition candidate after she was barred from running.

Gonzalez Urrutia fled to Spain in September following threats of arrest after the opposition released election results claiming his victory. 

On Monday, he met with U.S. President Joe Biden in Washington to rally international support against Maduro's administration.

Machado, who has remained in hiding since the election, has called for mass protests on Thursday, a day before Maduro's inauguration. She pledged to join the demonstrations herself, urging Venezuelans to confront their fears.

"If we all come out, millions, how can a few hundred or a few thousand armed people prevail against 30 million Venezuelans? In the end, the only way to be free is to overcome fear," she told AFP.

However, mobilising large-scale protests may prove challenging. In July, riots erupted after Maduro declared victory, leaving 26 people dead and nearly 200 injured. 

Authorities arrested over 2,400 individuals during the crackdown, with nearly half still in custody, according to official records.

Speaking in Argentina, where he met with President Javier Milei, Gonzalez Urrutia said, "We are planning a conversation with President Biden, and we are waiting for definitions regarding the new authorities."

During his visit to Argentina, Gonzalez Urrutia emphasised the importance of international support for restoring democracy in Venezuela. He has positioned himself as a central figure in the opposition movement, despite his controversial self-declaration as president-elect, which has yet to receive widespread recognition from the international community.

"It is an emotionally charged day, not only because of my presence in Caracas on that day, but because of all the circumstances you have mentioned. The reward and other things, so... I am not going to reveal more than what I have already said. My intention is to go to Venezuela simply to take possession of the mandate that the Venezuelans gave me by electing me with more than 7 million votes," he added.

This move comes amid heightened political tensions following the controversial presidential election in Venezuela on July 28.

Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who claims to have won the presidential election against incumbent Nicolas Maduro, fled to Spain in September 2024 after Maduro was declared the winner.

The election results have been widely disputed, with allegations of rigging and fraud.

“They are tyrants, drooling, just like that fascist [Machado], who is now rebelling, foaming at the mouth, from the nostrils, from the ears. Full of envy, pettiness, and ambition,” Maduro said in a fiery speech.

He emphasised his resolve to remain in power, saying, “I swear to you by these four crosses that this presidential palace will never fall into the hands of a puppet of the oligarchy or imperialism; this palace is the palace of the people, now and forever.”

The speech comes amid ongoing political instability following the July 28 election, where Maduro was declared the winner—securing a third term in office. 

Opposition leader Gonzalez Urrutia has alleged widespread election fraud and garnered support from members of the international community, many of whom have recognised him as the legitimate winner.

Maduro, however, has denied all allegations of fraud and maintains that the election results are valid.

In a recent move to consolidate power, Venezuela's parliament passed the "Liberator Simon Bolivar Act." The legislation imposes prison terms of up to 30 years for individuals who support or assist in international sanctions against Maduro’s government.

The law is viewed as a direct response to those promoting international measures targeting Maduro’s administration. 

The detainees were among thousands arrested after President Nicolás Maduro’s reelection, which opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia condemned as fraudulent. Urrutia fled into exile in September after authorities issued a warrant for his arrest.  

Relatives and human rights activists claim some of those detained had not participated in the protests. They also allege instances of torture and the denial of food and medical care to prisoners.  

"I had faith that we were all going to get out because we are all innocent," said Andrés Galea, one of the released prisoners. "This is a process that was expected and that takes time."  

Javier López, another former detainee, recounted the dire conditions in prison: "We went hungry, we slept, we were thirsty, we went through hardships, worries, tortures—many things happened inside. But thank God that nightmare is over and it will be over for all of us."  

Attorney General Tarek Saab announced on Friday, November 15, that 225 cases related to the protests will be reviewed.  

However, the public mood remains bleak in a country battered by economic and political turmoil since Maduro's controversial re-election in July.

Valeria Ponce, a 22-year-old gym instructor, expressed scepticism over the early festivities. "It feels like a way to distract us from everything that's going on," she said. "What am I supposed to celebrate? I don’t even know if I can afford to make 'hallacas' this year," referring to a traditional Venezuelan Christmas dish.

Despite the decorations, many Venezuelans see little reason to celebrate. Teresa Marcos, a 72-year-old retiree, criticised the government’s focus on festivities. "How is it possible that they spend so much money on Christmas? What am I going to celebrate?" she asked, while speaking to the AFP.

Yet, not all Venezuelans share the same perspective about the early Christmas. Jesus Lopez, a doctor, viewed the early Christmas spirit as a sign of hope. "It suggests that there is some progress in the country, which is what I believe, and what the president believes," he said. 

Venezuela remains divided, with the United States, EU, and several Latin American countries supporting opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who claims to have won the disputed July election. Gonzalez Urrutia has since sought asylum in Spain, while the country continues to grapple with deep political and economic strife.

The Spanish government has refused to recognise Nicolas Maduro’s victory in the election, with Sánchez calling for the publication of the election results. He emphasised that Spain is working toward unity within the European Union to mediate the political crisis in Venezuela, the AFP reports.

“From a political point of view, the Spanish government has been clear since the elections were held: We have asked for the publication of the results (tally sheets of the July 28 Venezuelan elections, ed.), we have not recognised Nicolas Maduro's victory, and we are doing something very important: working for unity in the European Union,” Sánchez said, adding that Spain is committed to building bridges between the EU and China in a separate diplomatic matter.

Sanches further stated that “asylum is first and foremost a gesture of humanity, a civil humanitarian commitment of Spanish society and, by extension, of its government, to people who are unfortunately suffering persecution and repression. And this is what we have done with Edmundo Gonzalez (Venezuelan opposition candidate, ed)."

After arriving in Spain, Urrutia expressed hope for change in Venezuela, saying he left "so that things can change and we can build a new stage for Venezuela."

Luz Renginfo, a housekeeper in Caracas, expressed the deep frustration many feel about the country’s political situation. “Truly, we don’t have hope, we don’t have it. But the only thing I ask of God is that Venezuela becomes what it once was,” she is quoted by AFP.

For Nelson Sosa, a 60-year-old resident, Gonzalez Urrutia’s decision to flee was a wise move. "I think it was the best thing to do because if he stayed, he would have been arrested, so it was better for him to leave," Sosa said.

However, Fanny Perdomo, an accountant living in Caracas, believes the situation could have been avoided. “If Gonzalez Urrutia had acted properly following the declaration of President Nicolas Maduro as the winner of the July 28 elections, he would not have had to ask for political asylum. But since he did not show up the times the government institutions solicited his presence, there must have been a reason,” Perdomo explained.

Gonzalez Urrutia, who has challenged President Maduro’s victory, arrived in Spain at the Torrejon de Ardoz military base with his wife, according to a statement by Spain’s foreign ministry. His departure follows an arrest warrant issued by Venezuelan authorities, accusing him of conspiracy and other charges.

Despite claims by the Venezuelan government, many international powers, including the U.S. and the EU, view the 75-year-old opposition leader as the legitimate winner of the disputed election.

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The Attorney General, Tarek William Saab, has accused González of attempting to "illegally usurp responsibilities" that belong exclusively to the National Electoral Council.

The opposition claims that their candidate won the election by a significant margin, contrary to the official results that declared President Nicolás Maduro the victor.

Describing González 's conduct in an AFP footage, Tarek said "We are confident that he (Edmundo Gonzalez, ed.) can come; he must come! To this summons to speak comprehensively and in detail about his responsibility before July 28, on July 28, and after July 28, due to his stubbornness and disobedience to the legitimately constituted authorities."

This summons is part of Maduro's government's broader crackdown on dissent. Over 2,000 demonstrators and political activists have been detained since the election, with security forces actively pursuing opposition figures.

González, who has gone into hiding , is joined by opposition leader María Corina Machado, who was disqualified from running and subsequently endorsed González.

Maduro, who claimed to have secured 52 percent of the vote, had earlier requested the court's intervention following opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia's assertions that he had actually won more than two-thirds of the votes. 

The CNE, citing a cyberattack, did not release a precinct-level breakdown of the election results, leading to further scepticism and accusations from opposition groups that the hack was an excuse to obscure the true outcome.

The opposition's tally reportedly showed Gonzalez Urrutia, a 74-year-old candidate, as the clear winner, fueling ongoing disputes over the legitimacy of the election.

US President Joe Biden and Brazilian President Lula da Silva support holding fresh elections in Venezuela, despite opposition from the ruling party and opposition claiming victory in the July 28 contest, reports WION .

White House comments on elections

White House walked back Biden's support for a new election in Venezuela after comments were made at the chaotic event. According to the Business Standard , the US position on the disputed July vote remains consistent, with calls for a transition back to democratic norms. Regional leaders have also weighed in, with Brazil and Colombia suggesting the possibility of new elections. Meanwhile, the incumbent President Maduro has rejected US intervention and continues to face accusations of election fraud and a crackdown on the opposition.

Opposition gives confidence boost

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado urged supporters to "keep up the fight" ahead of protests against Nicolas Maduro's contested election victory. Anti-Maduro protests have resulted in 25 deaths, dozens injured, and over 2,400 arrests since the July 28 vote. RFI reports that Machado called for demonstrations in over 300 cities, including a march in Caracas. The CNE proclaimed Maduro the winner with 52% of the vote but without detailed results.

Maduro rejects US interference

Venezuelan President Maduro rejects US interference and attempts to act as Venezuela's "executive branch." He calls out the US for pursuing imperialism and advises them to focus on their domestic issues. Maduro won the presidential election, but his victory is not recognised by some countries, as highlighted by MEHR .

Churches in fear

Churches in Venezuela are living in fear under the oppressive regime of President Nicolás Maduro. Some churches have been entangled with the government in exchange for financial incentives, while those who oppose the government face intimidation and threats. Even the pastor, Gabriel José Contreras, was imprisoned for doing social work. In addition to the fear of persecution, the country is also facing an exodus of young people leaving in search of opportunities abroad. The Church Times reports that despite the challenges, there is hope in international solidarity, and the Church remains committed to speaking out against injustice.

“The CNE’s rapid declaration of Nicolás Maduro as the winner of the presidential election came with no supporting evidence.  The CNE still has not published disaggregated data or any of the vote tally sheets, despite repeated calls from Venezuelans and the international community to do so.  As the independent Carter Center’s observation mission reported, the CNE’s failure to provide the precinct-level official results, as well as irregularities throughout the process, have stripped the CNE’s announced outcome of any credibility.

Protests emerged following allegations by opposition members and supporters of Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia that the election was rigged for Maduro. At least 11 have been reported dead in the protests.

The National Election Council ratified Maduro’s win with 52 percent of the vote, while declaring 43 percent of the ballots for his closest contender Gonzalez Urrutia.

Both Maduro and the opposition called for their supporters to demonstrate this weekend, AFP reports. Machado, Gonzalez’s ally has rallied for supporters to gather on Saturday in cities to “assert the truth” about the opposition’s victory.

Meanwhile, Maduro has called for the “mother of all marches to celebrate the victory of peace” to be held on Saturday.

The Venezuelan electoral council (CNE) declared Maduro as the winner of the election with 51%of the vote compared to 44% for PUD’s Gonzalez.

The Venezuelan President who has been re-elected for a third consecutive six-year term said to thousands of his supporters in front of Miraflores Palace, the official presidential residence in Caracas that his government will 'find' and 'capture' all who 'disturb the peace' in the Latin American nation, AFP reports.

“This is a coup, a planned, evident coup. They said they would not recognise the National Electoral Council 15 days before. And they dedicated themselves to bringing in money from the Colombian drug trafficking,” Maduro said.

Various international bodies, following the announcement of Maduro as the winner of the election, have challenged the credibility of the election.

The Organisation of American States (OAS) has labelled the vote results unreliable while Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and U.S. President Joe Biden called on the CNE to publish election tallies.

The presidential election, held on Sunday, July 28, saw President Nicolás Maduro declared the winner by the National Electoral Council. According to the council, Maduro secured 51.2% of the vote, while González received 44.2%.

However, these results have been met with scepticism and outright rejection by the opposition, citizens and many international observers.

Edmundo González, alongside opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, addressed supporters and the media, claiming they have obtained more than 70% of the tally sheets from polling stations nationwide. These documents, they assert, show González with a significant lead over Maduro.

"We have in our hands the tally sheets that demonstrate our victory," González stated confidently.

"Today, we have great news to share with all Venezuelans. It's a miracle, it's a miracle. But today, I want to tell all Venezuelans, both inside and outside the country, all Venezuelans around the world, that we now have the means to prove the truth of what happened yesterday (July 28) in Venezuela," Maria Corina also told the media and supporters.

Maduro's victory announcement has sparked massive protests across Venezuela. Thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets, demanding a transparent recount and the recognition of González's victory.

The protests have been largely peaceful, though there have been instances of clashes with security forces, who have used tear gas to disperse crowds.

Exit polls placed Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia in the lead as the winner of the elections but Maduro was announced the winner by the country’s National Electoral Council (CNE) with over 50% votes against his contender’s over 40% votes.

Thousands of angry protesters have taken over the streets of the capital Caracas with chants of freedom as they set fire to tyres and clash with police.

Protests began on Monday amidst allegations that the elections were rigged in favour of the incumbent president.

Demonstrators hurled Molotov cocktails and rocks at police as they retaliated with tear gas and rubber bullets fired at the crowd.

Posters of Maduro were also ripped off and burnt by the crowd.

At least two statues of Maduro’s predecessor Hugo Chavez have been knocked down amidst the protests.

Rights group Foro Penal indicates that at least one person is dead and 46 arrested, Daily Mail reports.

Here are some photos from the protests

The opposition party, Plataforma Unitaria Democratica (PUD), has rejected the CNE's announcement, labelling it as fraudulent and vowing to challenge the results.

Maria Corina Machado, the leader of the PUD, said that González had won with 70% of the votes, claiming he was the rightful president-elect.

“Venezuela has a new president-elect and it is Edmundo González. We won and the whole world knows it,” she declared in a joint statement with González.

Backing the opposition’s claims, independent exit polls and quick counts showed a decisive victory for González. Edison Research, renowned for its polling in US elections, predicted in an exit poll that González would secure 65% of the vote, while Maduro would only achieve 31%.

International reactions to the election results have been swift. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed “serious concerns that the result announced does not reflect the will or the votes of the Venezuelan people” during a press conference on July 29.

During the election campaign, Maduro remained confident, telling supporters ten days before the vote that he had a “fair lead.” He warned at another rally in the Venezuelan capital that “If they do not want Venezuela to fall into a bloodbath, into a fratricidal civil war, the ruling party must win the presidential elections on July 28.”

Maduro’s 2018 re-election was largely boycotted by the opposition and condemned as illegitimate by a coalition of 14 Latin American nations, Canada, and the United States.

"We can't continue like this," said Maria Fernandez, a teacher in Caracas. "We need new leadership to rebuild our nation."

The opposition, united under the Democratic Unitary Platform, has rallied behind Edmundo González Urrutia, a former diplomat. González has promised to restore economic stability and address corruption, resonating with voters disillusioned by years of hardship.

"This election is our chance to reclaim our future," said Juan Carlos, a university student. "We are determined to vote Maduro out."

Despite the enthusiasm, the opposition faces significant challenges. The Maduro government has been accused of creating obstacles to hinder the opposition's campaign, including roadblocks and restricted access to fuel.

Additionally, prominent opposition leader María Corina Machado was barred from running, a move seen by many as an attempt to weaken the opposition.

The international community is closely watching the election, with many countries expressing concerns about the fairness of the process. The United States and European Union have called for free and fair elections, emphasising the importance of respecting democratic principles.

Stay tuned to GSW's live updates on Venezuela's 2024 Presidential Election, a crucial event shaping the nation's future after the significant 2018 elections.

Among the main contenders is incumbent president Nicolas Maduro who has been president since 2013 when he took over from his predecessor Hugo Chavez who died from cancer. Closely following is Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, the Plataforma Unitaria Democratica (PUD) candidate.

Here’s a brief profile of the main candidates in the Venezuela elections coming off on Sunday.

Nicholas Maduro

Nicolas Maduro was born on November 23, 1962, in Caracas and attended high school in the same city. The former bus driver has a long history of a career in trade unionism, representing the workers of the Caracas Metro system before entering politics.

He served in many political capacities before eventually becoming president in April 2013.

Maduro served as a member of Venezuela’s parliament and the National Assembly in 2000, rising to become the assembly’s president at some point.

He was foreign minister for six years under his predecessor President Hugo Chavez before being named vice president in October 2012.

Maduro's connection with his predecessor dates back to 1992 when he protested for Chávez's release from prison after a failed coup attempt that made Chávez well-known.

As foreign minister, Maduro was a keen follower of Chavez’s line and a major critic of U.S. foreign policy. He rather built relationships with new partners like Russia and China as financiers.

After the demise of Chavez, Maduro became acting president on March 8, 2013, and won the subsequent elections on April 14, 2013, making him president of Venezuela.

The ruling United Socialist Party’s candidate was sworn in as president 5 days later.

After serving as defacto leader for five years, he was elected to a second term as president in 2018 in a highly contested poll in which he won 67.8% of the votes.

Maduro has a reputation for his style of leadership not only domestically but also internationally. Maduro has been accused of authoritarianism and human rights abuses.

Maduro's rule has been marked by economic crisis, hyperinflation, and widespread shortages of basic goods. Close to 8 million Venezuelans are said to have fled the country since 2013. Ahead of the July 28 elections, Maduro has promised a 'fair lead. During a campaign rally on July 19, he confidently told supporters, "We are winning, and we are winning with a fair lead," Maduro proclaimed to his supporters in Petare, a neighbourhood in eastern Caracas. The rally saw Maduro dancing and singing with the crowd, as he assured them that "no one will sabotage" the vote.

On 4 February this year to mark the anniversary of a failed coup led by his mentor, Hugo Chávez, Maduro also assured the crowd that he is winning the July elections “by hook or crook”.

Maduro is married to Cilia Flores, a renowned lawyer in the country and a former president of the National Assembly. She also served under Chavez’s government in his defence team and as the nation's attorney general.

Maduro was raised a Roman Catholic, and he and his wife are supporters of the late Indian spiritual guru Sai Baba.

He is contending with nine others for the presidency in the upcoming elections and so far, concerns have been raised about the likelihood of fairness in the elections considering past events.

Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia

Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia has become a force to reckon with in Venezuela, arguably described as the strong man with the highest likelihood of unseating President Maduro. The academic and former diplomat was born on August 29, 1949, in La Victoria, Venezuela.

He is a graduate of the Central University of Venezuela with a degree in International Relations. Having began his professional career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela, during which period he was posted to Belgium and Washington. Gonzalez eventually became Ambassador to Algeria between 1991 and 1993 and Argentina between 1998 and 2002.

His position as opposition leader representing the Plataforma Unitaria Democratica (PUD) was a last-minute decision for the 74-year-old.

He accepted the role as a “personal commitment to Venezuelans” after his predecessor who was the obvious winner of an opposition primary in 2023 was barred from contesting. This was after she won an opposition primary held in October 2023 with more than 90% of the votes.

Machado was banned by the Supreme Court from running for public office over corruption allegations.

Following this, all other replacement candidates including Corina Yoris were either barred or pulled out of the race, leaving Gonzalez as the only viable replacement for María Corina Machado who was the party’s previous candidate chosen to unseat Maduro.

Gonzalez has widely been described as a loving grandfather whose candidacy seeks to look out for Venezuelans, with his slogan, “Edmundo, president for all”. He has been credited with building the opposition coalition into what it is today, although quietly behind the scenes.

Despite vying for the presidency, Gonzalez’ calm nature is evident in public appearances and interviews during which he usually sticks to the script, giving simple monotonous responses to political questions.

Gonzalez has also promised to tackle the country’s economic woes that have elevated poverty levels among citizens and driven many Venezuelans out of the country.

Gonzalez lives in Caracas and is married to Mercedes López de González , with whom he has two daughters. They are a Catholic and very devout family.