Supporters of Venezuela’s former president Nicolás Maduro are preparing for a mass protest, one week after he was captured by United States forces and taken to New York to face trial on drug and weapons charges.
The rally, organised by activists from the ruling Chavista movement, is scheduled for Saturday evening in Caracas. It comes after days of anger and uncertainty following US airstrikes and a dramatic nighttime operation on January 3, during which Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were seized.
Since Maduro’s capture, Venezuela has entered a tense political period. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez has promised cooperation with Washington while also insisting that Venezuela will not be subordinate to the United States. Her government has begun talks with the US on restoring diplomatic relations, which were cut in 2019, and discussions are underway about reopening the American embassy in Caracas.
At the same time, Rodríguez pledged to release political prisoners jailed under Maduro as a gesture of goodwill. However, rights group Foro Penal said only 11 prisoners had been freed so far, disappointing many families.
Relatives of detainees have been camping outside prisons, hoping for the release of their loved ones. “I am tired and angry, but I still have faith,” said Nebraska Rivas, whose son has been detained for seven years. She said families feel encouraged but frustrated by the slow progress.
US President Donald Trump said he paused further military action partly because of the prisoner releases. He has made it clear that his administration wants access to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, the largest proven in the world. Trump has pushed major oil companies to invest, although some executives have warned that Venezuela’s oil sector needs major reforms.
Despite the negotiations, tensions remain high. The planned rally highlights continued loyalty to Maduro among his supporters and reflects deep divisions in the country as Venezuela navigates a new and uncertain political path.
