The president of Venezuela, Nicolas Madurowas sworn in this Friday for a third consecutive six-year term, after a questioned re-election that the opposition called fraud.
“Law“what”This new presidential period will be the period of peace“Maduro said in front of the president of Parliament, the Chavista leader Jorge Rodríguez. “You are invested in the position of constitutional president,” responded the legislative head.
The investiture takes place a day after an opposition march that ended with the report of a brief arrest of its leader Maria Corina Machadowhich the government denied and described as “invention“, while the plan Edmundo González Urrutia taking office seems increasingly unlikely.
Maduro – who already mobilized his followers on Thursday – called to leave “by millions” for the swearing-in. “On the 10th I swear with Maduro for the future” is read on gigantic billboards with the face of the leftist president.
Border closure
In the surroundings of the legislature and the rest of the public powers, in the center of Caracas, the already massive security apparatus was reinforced, AFP confirmed: Blocked streets, more police checkpoints, more soldiers on every corner, all heavily armed. Shops are open but traffic is low.
Venezuela also ordered the closure of its land border and airspace with Colombia until Monday, after learning of an alleged “international conspiracy“.
Allegations of plans to overthrow Maduro are frequent, and Colombia and the United States usually those responsible.
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Washington – which denies any plot – has expressed its recognition to González Urrutia, who visited the White House this week. The next president, Donald Trump, referred to him Thursday as “president-elect“.
The opposition leader is in Dominican Republic, last stop on an international tour that was to culminate in a private flight to Caracas to try to be sworn in for the presidency.
There is no information on that or any other strategy. The government warned that it would treat it as “invader“if you try to enter without authorization.
Brief arrest
“We are not afraid!“Machado shouted along with his followers, who came out of hiding to participate in a protest against Maduro’s investiture.
After his speech, he got on a motorcycle and left. A few minutes later, confusion began with the news of an arrest, which the government also called a “lie.” Her political team later reported that she was “forcibly detained” and later released.
The prosecution called him “psychological operation“.
“If the decision was to detain her, she would already be detained,” said the Minister of the Interior, Diosdado Cabello.
The incident was widely rejected internationally. Machado reported on networks that on Friday he would explain what happened “and what’s coming“.
Constitutional reform
In power since 2013, anointed by the deceased Hugo ChavezMaduro has governed with an iron fist with the support of the Armed Forces. It has been branded “dictator” by his detractors.
González Urrutia has called on those in uniform to recognize him, but the hierarchy has sworn “absolute loyalty” to Maduro.
“The military sector is even more crucial than it was before the election to decide whether the Maduro government remains or if the possibility of a transition opens up.” Mariano de Alba, a lawyer specializing in international relations, explained to AFP.
In the next six-year term, Maduro proposes a “major reform” to the Constitution, which follows the path of the approval of new laws that, according to experts, reduce freedoms. He also promises economic recovery, after spending much of his 12 years in power in recession, high inflation and shortages.
More than seven million Venezuelans migrated fleeing the crisisaccording to the UN.
On the horizon, however, possible new sanctions appear with the arrival of Trump, who in his first government imposed an oil embargo.