Venezuelans Rally for Free Elections in First Major Protest in Two Years

Thousands of Venezuelans have taken to the streets in multiple cities, marking the first nationwide opposition protest in nearly two years. Demonstrators are demanding free elections and other political reforms. While US President Donald Trump and acting President Delcy Rodriguez have indicated that elections will occur, a specific date for choosing a successor to Nicolas Maduro has not been set. Maduro was apprehended by US forces in a military raid in January.

Opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado, who has been abroad for almost a year after living in hiding following a disputed 2024 election, has stated that elections must be held by July 2027. Her Vente Venezuela movement organized the protest, which saw participation in the capital, Caracas, and other cities including Valencia, Maracay, San Cristobal, and Maracaibo.

“Seeing this makes me happy because I know change is possible,” said 18-year-old cosmetology student Leosmary Hernandez, who joined hundreds in northern Maracay. “I’ve been through so many hardships, so many problems because of the dollar, and difficulties studying. I have high hopes for my country and for our next leader and president, Maria Corina.” She added, “I went out to protest before, when things were much tougher, and I’m even less afraid today because I want my voice to be heard.”

The country has been led by interim President Delcy Rodriguez of the long-governing United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) since January 3. PSUV leaders have faced accusations of human rights abuses against political dissidents, including arbitrary arrest, imprisonment, and torture. Following the United States' military operation to detain and imprison former President Nicolas Maduro, the PSUV has remained in power with support from the White House. US President Trump has endorsed Rodriguez's leadership, despite her prior role as Maduro’s vice president. The Trump administration has maintained an active presence in Venezuela, overseeing its oil resources and pressing the Rodriguez government for reforms.

Venezuela's socialist movement, in power since 1999 under the late President Hugo Chavez and subsequently Maduro, has previously deployed security forces against protesters. However, government forces had a minimal presence at protest sites on Thursday, and demonstrators in many smaller cities dispersed before nightfall. The ruling Socialist Party called for its supporters to march from Caracas’ Plaza Venezuela, the same location where the opposition planned to gather two hours later, to a site near the presidential palace to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, known for his close ties to the security services, was seen on state television attending the march, while opposition supporters relocated their protest to a nearby area.

Talks between a faction of the opposition and the interim government, focused on reforming the top court and electoral council in preparation for future elections, held their most recent session this month. However, significant time may be required for these changes. The negotiations, which are supported by the US, do not include Machado’s political movement, although she has indicated she will not impede their progress. Machado’s representative, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, claims to have won the 2024 election based on opposition vote tallies. The government, which did not release full vote counts, supported Maduro, as did Venezuela’s legal and electoral institutions. Machado has sought US backing for years, aligning with influential figures in the Trump administration who argued that Maduro, due to alleged connections to drug gangs, posed a direct threat to US national security. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are facing drug and torture charges in the US, to which they have pleaded not guilty.