Thousands March in Caracas, Demand Maduro’s Release

Thousands of supporters of Venezuela’s former leader Nicolas Maduro marched in Caracas on Tuesday, demanding his release. The rally came exactly one month after Maduro was removed from power in a deadly US military operation and taken to New York to face drug-related charges.

The crowd chanted slogans like, “Venezuela needs Nicolas,” while holding photos of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who was also arrested during the US raid.

The march was called by the government and stretched for several hundred meters. Trucks played loud music as people waved Venezuelan flags and wore red clothing linked to the ruling “Chavista” movement, named after late socialist leader Hugo Chavez.

Maduro’s son, Nicolas “Nicolasito” Maduro Guerra, who serves as a deputy in Venezuela’s National Assembly, addressed the crowd. He said the movement had developed a strong anti-imperialist consciousness, and criticised US influence.

Many protesters were public sector employees. One municipal worker, 58-year-old Jose Perdomo, said the situation has created mixed emotions. He said people felt confused, sad, and angry, but he also expressed support for interim president Delcy Rodriguez.

Perdomo added that “sooner or later they will have to free our president.”

Rodriguez Under Pressure

Since Maduro’s removal, interim president Delcy Rodriguez has been trying to manage a difficult political situation. She is working to keep support from the United States while also maintaining loyalty from Maduro supporters inside the government and among the public.

Rodriguez was previously a close ally of Maduro and served as his vice president.

US President Donald Trump has said he is willing to work with Rodriguez, but only if she follows Washington’s demands, especially related to access to Venezuela’s large oil reserves.

Under pressure, Rodriguez has started releasing political prisoners and has opened Venezuela’s state-controlled oil and gas sector to private investment.

Venezuela and the United States have also restarted diplomatic relations, which had been cut off in 2019 after Maduro was accused of stealing his first re-election.

US Envoy Visits Caracas

American envoy Laura Dogu arrived in Caracas on Saturday. On Tuesday, the US mission released a video in which Dogu spoke about a three-phase plan for Venezuela.

She said the final goal is a transition to a “friendly, stable, prosperous and democratic Venezuela.”

Students and Families Demand Amnesty

Earlier on Tuesday, another march took place in Caracas. Hundreds of university students and relatives of political prisoners demanded quick approval of an amnesty law promised by Rodriguez.

However, the law has not yet been presented in parliament. Venezuela’s parliament is led by Rodriguez’s brother, Jorge Rodriguez, who is also a strong Chavista and a Maduro supporter.

Opposition deputy Stalin Gonzalez said he expects the first debate on the amnesty law to take place on Thursday.

He said he hopes the amnesty will lead to reconciliation, peace, democracy, and coexistence.

Opposition Wants Fresh Elections

Anti-government protests have been rare in Venezuela since the crackdown on demonstrations in 2024, when Maduro claimed another re-election in a contested vote.

More than 2,000 people were jailed during that period.

On Tuesday, protesters in the earlier march shouted, “Freedom is in the streets and no one can stop it!”

Meanwhile, Venezuela’s opposition has continued to call for fresh elections after Maduro’s ouster.