VENEZUELANS FLOOD CARACAS STREETS IN MASS RALLY DEMANDING RELEASE OF MADURO AND CILIA FLORES

Thousands of Venezuelans poured into the streets of Caracas on Tuesday in a sweeping show of defiance and national solidarity, demanding that the United States release President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores, one month after the couple was seized in a dramatic overnight raid by US forces.

A Nation Mobilises

The demonstration—branded the Gran Marcha (The Great March)—stretched for several hundred metres through the capital, drawing public‑sector workers, students, activists, and long‑time supporters of the ruling Chavista movement. Many carried portraits of the detained president, waved Venezuelan flags, or wore shirts emblazoned with calls for the couple’s return.

Chants of “¡Venezuela necesita a Nicolás!” (“Venezuela needs Nicolás!”) echoed through the city as trucks blasted music and organisers urged the crowd to remain peaceful but resolute. Banners accusing Washington of “kidnapping” the president were held high above the sea of red‑clad demonstrators.

Maduro’s Son Addresses the Crowd

Nicolás Maduro Guerra, the president’s son and a member of the National Assembly, delivered an impassioned speech condemning the US operation that removed his father from office on January 3. He described the raid as a “scar on our face, forever,” calling it a violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty and an act that “desecrated our homeland’s soil.”

He also praised what he called a “profound anti‑imperialist consciousness” among Venezuelans, asserting that the march demonstrated unity across political and social lines.

A Global Day of Action

Local media reported that the Caracas march formed part of a coordinated international mobilisation, with solidarity demonstrations held in multiple countries under slogans such as “Bring Them Back” and “Hands Off Venezuela.” Organisers said the global effort reflected widespread concern over what they described as a breach of international law and a dangerous precedent for foreign intervention.

Public Emotion and Political Tension

Many marchers expressed a mix of grief, anger, and determination.
“We feel confused, sad, angry. There are a lot of emotions,” said José Perdomo, a 58‑year‑old municipal employee who joined the rally. He voiced confidence that “sooner or later, they will have to free our president,” while also expressing support for interim leader Delcy Rodríguez.

Rodríguez, who assumed the presidency following Maduro’s removal, has been navigating a precarious political landscape—balancing pressure from Washington with demands from Maduro loyalists. US President Donald Trump has signalled willingness to work with her, contingent on Venezuela granting the United States greater access to its vast oil reserves.

Shifts in Policy Under Interim Leadership

Since taking office, Rodríguez has initiated a series of reforms aimed at easing tensions with the United States and domestic opposition groups. These include the release of hundreds of political prisoners and the opening of Venezuela’s nationalised hydrocarbons sector to private investment—moves that have drawn both praise and criticism.

Diplomatic relations between Caracas and Washington, severed in 2019, have also been cautiously restored, marked by the recent arrival of US envoy Laura Dogu. The US mission has outlined a three‑phase plan for what it calls a transition toward a “friendly, stable, prosperous and democratic Venezuela.”

Parallel Marches and Calls for Amnesty

Earlier in the day, hundreds of university students and relatives of political prisoners held a separate march urging swift approval of an amnesty law promised by Rodríguez. The legislation, intended to address years of political violence and mass detentions, has yet to reach the parliamentary floor. Opposition lawmakers say they expect debate to begin later this week.

A Country at a Crossroads

Tuesday’s mass mobilisation underscored the deep political fractures and heightened emotions gripping Venezuela since Maduro’s ouster. While the interim government attempts to stabilise the country and negotiate with foreign powers, a significant portion of the population remains steadfast in its demand: the immediate return of their detained president and first lady.

As the chants of “Freedom is in the streets!” reverberated through Caracas, the message from demonstrators was unmistakable—Venezuela’s political future remains fiercely contested, and its people are determined to be heard.