CARACAS, Venezuela — President Nicolás Maduro was sworn in on Friday for a third six-year term, signaling the extension of his increasingly repressive rule until 2031. This inauguration unfolds amidst widespread protests and significant evidence suggesting his opponent won the recent election. Despite these issues, the legislative palace was heavily monitored by police, military, and intelligence officers as pro-Maduro supporters gathered in the streets wearing favorable attire.

During his inaugural address, Maduro criticized the opposition for attempting to transform his inauguration into a "world war” and labeled their efforts to thwart the ceremony as a “great Venezuelan victory.” He specifically accused external forces, particularly the United States, of “attacking” the nation. “I have not been made president by the government of the United States, nor by the pro-imperialist governments of Latin America,” Maduro asserted, reiterating his commitment to Venezuelan sovereignty.

Issues surrounding the election were brought to light when opposition factions collected tally sheets from over 80% of electronic voting machines from the July 28 election. These results, publicized online, indicated that opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia outperformed Maduro by a substantial margin. Observers from the Carter Center, invited by the Maduro administration, deemed these opposition-published tallies credible, indicating systemic flaws in the official counting process.

The international community reacted swiftly, with the European Union sanctioning 15 high-ranking Venezuelan officials implicated in the 2024 election, labeling their actions as threats to democracy. Following suit, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed new sanctions on various Venezuelan officials including those associated with state oil and aviation.

The turbulent climate around the inauguration included the detention of opposition leader María Corina Machado, whose brief arrest during an anti-Maduro rally spotlighted the government's ongoing repression of dissent. Following her release, Machado's team reported that she was coerced into making videos while in custody. Global leaders, including U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, have vocally supported Machado and condemned the Venezuelan government's actions.

Rumors of election fraud envelop the inauguration, as electoral authorities hastily declared Maduro the winner without the detailed vote counts typically expected in previous presidential contests. The lack of transparency has incited domestic protests and international outcry, leading Maduro to request an audit from a high court filled with his party's allies, which unsurprisingly reaffirmed his claim to victory.

In light of the tensions surrounding the event, numerous heads of state opted out of attending the inauguration, including Colombian President Gustavo Petro, citing recent detentions of noted opposition figures and human rights activists. While the event was said to represent Maduro’s strength, the increasing isolation from international support was palpable.

Further complicating matters, González, whose recent return from self-imposed exile positioned him as a potential threat to Maduro's regime, remains under government threat of arrest should he return to Venezuela. His family has faced increased danger, including the recent kidnapping of his son-in-law.

The situation in Venezuela underscores the ongoing political and social crisis that has seen millions flee the country in search of better living conditions. Maduro’s return to power appears to exacerbate the hardships facing the nation, casting a shadow over hopes for democratic renewal.

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