Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado is released after her arrest

Venezuela’s popular opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado, was released Thursday afternoon after being briefly detained by her opponents during an anti-government protest in Caracas on Thursday. According to a statement on the X website By political aide.

Ms. Machado was subjected to “violent objection when she left the gathering,” that is, her party He said on X. “The regime forces opened fire on the motorcycles they were riding.”

Dictator Nicolas Maduro is scheduled to be sworn in for a third term as president on Friday.

It was Mrs. Machado Living in secret In Venezuela amid threats of arrest from government officials, this was her first public appearance since August. She had called for rallies across the country, and in cities around the world, to protest Mr Maduro’s inauguration.

Thousands came out to support Ms. Machado at an event in Caracas on Thursday, all at risk of arrest by the government. There, the opposition leader stood on top of a truck while his supporters chanted: “Freedom!” freedom! freedom!”

In X, political aide Magali Meda said that as Ms. Machado was leaving the rally, she fell off her motorcycle.

“Firearms went off at this event,” Ms. Meda said. “They took her by force.”

She added that during her short period of detention, “she was forced to record several video clips and was later released.” “In the next few hours, she herself will be the one addressing the country to explain what happened.”

Ms. Machado’s representatives refused to say who detained her. The event was packed with government security forces, often backed by members of armed gangs known as colectivos.

Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello Speaking in a television interviewHe described the arrest as a “lie” and accused the opposition of fabricating it to attract attention.

The country’s opposition, as well as the United States and other countries, say Mr. Maduro stole the last election and that the real winner is Edmundo Gonzalez, a former diplomat who has the support of Ms. Machado.

Mr. Gonzalez has been living in exile since September.

Before her arrest, Ms. Machado told her followers: “This strength that we have built and that grows every day has prepared us for this final stage.”

She said of Maduro’s inauguration: “Whatever they do tomorrow, they have buried themselves!”

About 2,000 people have been arrested in Venezuela since the July 28 election, including, in recent days, Mr. Gonzalez’s son-in-law. Rafael Todaresas well as Carlos Correa, Director of the high-profile non-profit organization, Espacio Público.