Nicolas Maduro was sworn in as Venezuela's president for a third six-year term on Friday, January 10, amidst widespread protests and international condemnation over allegations of election fraud and repression. President Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, vowed to lead a "period of peace" during his inauguration ceremony before a parliament largely ignored by the international community.

The events unfolded following protests led by opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who made a rare public appearance on Thursday, January 9, despite being briefly detained afterwards by security forces. Witnesses reported chaotic scenes as her convoy was intercepted, causing heightened concerns among her supporters and prompting accusations of a renewed wave of repression against the opposition. Her team claimed she was "violently intercepted," and noted that "shots were fired" during the incident, leading to global condemnation of the actions taken against her by the Maduro regime, described by many as a direct violation of human rights. For further details, see the initial report from Le Monde.

International reactions poured in following her detention, with figures such as US President-elect Donald Trump labeling Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, her political ally who is viewed by many as the legitimate victor from the disputed July elections, as "freedom fighters." Trump emphasized that they "should not be harmed," as echoed by leaders from diverse nations including Ecuador and Spain, denouncing the Maduro government as a dictatorship (CBS News).

In an attempt to secure calm during this contentious transition, Maduro implemented extensive police and military deployment, closing borders with Colombia, as stated by Freddy Bernal, the governor of Tachira. Bernal claimed the closure was due to an "international conspiracy to disturb Venezuelans' peace," a narrative that many dismiss as a tactic to suppress dissent (Le Monde).

Protests ignited a larger movement against Maduro's alleged power grab, with thousands taking to the streets to challenge his rule. Many among the ranks of the opposition accused Maduro of having stolen the election results that resulted in his latest term. With claims from the Venezuela's CNE electoral council declaring Maduro the victor mere hours after polling closed, the opposition presented a tally suggesting Urrutia secured at least two-thirds of the vote. Amidst this, Maduro's supporters held counter-demonstrations, reinforcing his grip on power and the loyalty of military and armed paramilitary groups known as "colectivos" utilized to quell dissent.

With rising calls from the international community for a peaceful transition back to democracy, including meetings between Gonzalez Urrutia and US President Biden, the Maduro administration shows no signs of backing down from its stance. Experts express concerns that without significant international pressure and a unified opposition front, conditions for the Venezuelan people are unlikely to improve under Maduro’s continued leadership (Le Monde).

For those wanting to delve into the situation further, you can explore additional insights about the tensions surrounding Maduro's presidency in the detailed articles from Le Monde and CBS News.