Nicolas Maduro Sworn in for Third Term

Nicolás Maduro was sworn in for a controversial third term as Venezuela's president amid widespread international condemnation of his re-election, which many countries, including the U.S., the U.K., and Spain, have deemed illegitimate. The inauguration, held in a heavily guarded venue, saw Maduro promise a 'term of peace', while opposition leaders, including Edmundo González, continue to challenge his authority, claiming he stole the election. The Biden administration increased the bounty on Maduro to $25 million, and both the U.K. and Canada imposed sanctions on senior Venezuelan officials for human rights violations. Protests against Maduro are expected to continue, particularly following the recent detention of opposition leader María Corina Machado. Observers note Maduro's increasing reliance on force to suppress dissent, with human rights organizations highlighting unprecedented levels of repression since the election. The situation in Venezuela remains tense, with a growing perception of Maduro's regime as a hybrid criminal enterprise amidst a backdrop of economic collapse and violence.