Venezuelan Opposition Leader Arrested Before Inauguration

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado was briefly arrested on January 9 after emerging from months in hiding to address a protest against President Nicolás Maduro's upcoming inauguration. Machado's convoy was intercepted and shot at by government forces, leading to claims of her being 'kidnapped' as she was forced to record videos during her detention. The opposition, which recognizes the exiled Edmundo González as the legitimate president-elect after a disputed election, has been rallying support to challenge Maduro's claim to power. The UN has expressed alarm over arbitrary detentions and violence against protesters in Venezuela, highlighting an ongoing crackdown on dissent. Machado's arrest comes amid heavy police presence in Caracas as Maduro prepares for his swearing-in ceremony, which is expected to be unrecognized by many nations. The situation reflects deepening political tensions and a struggle for legitimacy in Venezuela's leadership.