Thousands of supporters of Venezuela’s former president Nicolas Maduro poured into the streets of Caracas, demanding his release just one month after he was ousted in a deadly US military operation. The dramatic march highlighted the deep political turmoil gripping the country. It also piled pressure on interim leader Delcy Rodriguez as she tries to balance rival forces at home and abroad.

Chanting “Venezuela needs Nicolas,” crowds gathered exactly one month after Maduro was toppled and taken to New York to face drug charges. The protest was called by the government itself. It stretched for several hundred metres and was accompanied by trucks blasting music.

Many demonstrators were public sector workers. Several carried photos of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who was also seized in the US raid. The sea of red clothing showed the continued strength of the ruling “Chavista” movement founded by socialist leader Hugo Chavez.

Maduro’s son, Nicolas “Nicolasito” Maduro Guerra, a deputy in the National Assembly, addressed supporters. He declared that “these people are not American.” He added that Venezuela had achieved what he called a “profound anti-imperialist consciousness.”

Interim president Delcy Rodriguez now faces a delicate balancing act. She has been trying to retain support from Washington. At the same time, she must manage loyalty from Maduro supporters inside her government and across the country.

One protester, Jose Perdomo, a 58-year-old municipal employee, described the emotional mood. “We feel confused, sad, angry. There are a lot of emotions,” he said. Despite this, he said he backed the decisions taken by Rodriguez.

Perdomo also insisted Maduro would be freed. “Sooner or later they will have to free our president,” he said. His words reflected the determination of many in the crowd.

Rodriguez was a close ally of Maduro and previously served as his vice president. US President Donald Trump has said he is willing to work with her, provided she follows Washington’s priorities. These include granting access to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.

Under pressure, Rodriguez has begun releasing political prisoners. She has also opened Venezuela’s nationalised hydrocarbons industry to private investment. These moves mark a major policy shift.

Diplomatic relations between the two countries, severed in 2019, have now been restored. That break came after Maduro was accused of stealing his first re-election. The thaw was marked by the arrival of US envoy Laura Dogu in Caracas on Saturday.

On Tuesday, the US mission released a video featuring Dogu. She outlined a three-phase plan for Venezuela’s future. The plan ends with what she called a “friendly, stable, prosperous and democratic Venezuela.”

Rodriguez confirmed meeting Dogu. She described it as a “frank conversation.” The talks underline how closely Washington is watching the transition.

Earlier on Tuesday, hundreds of university students and relatives of political prisoners also marched. They called for the swift approval of an amnesty law promised by Rodriguez. Their protest added another layer of pressure on the interim government.

Rodriguez said she is working “intensely” on the amnesty law. She said it would help address a period marked by political violence and extremism. However, the bill has not yet reached parliament.

Parliament is led by Rodriguez’s brother, Jorge Rodriguez. He is another staunch Chavista and long-time Maduro backer. Opposition deputy Stalin Gonzalez said he expects the first debate on the amnesty law on Thursday.

“I hope that the amnesty opens the door to reconciliation, coexistence, peace and democracy,” Gonzalez said. His comments point to hopes of easing years of bitter political conflict.

Anti-government protests had been rare since a harsh crackdown in 2024. That followed demonstrations against Maduro’s contested claim to another re-election. More than 2,000 people were jailed at the time.

Now, chants of “Freedom is in the streets and no one can stop it!” are echoing again. The opposition is calling for fresh elections following Maduro’s ouster. The battle for Venezuela’s political future is far from over.

Key Takeaways

• Thousands marched in Caracas demanding the release of ex-leader Nicolas Maduro.

• Interim president Delcy Rodriguez faces pressure from both Washington and Maduro loyalists.

• Amnesty talks and calls for fresh elections signal more political battles ahead.

Maduro supporters rally in Caracas a month after US-led ouster

Another country that would rather be ruled by dictators.

I suppose it follows what President Franklin D. Roosevelt said, "He may be a son of a bitch, but he's our son of a bitch".

12 hours ago, Purdey said:

Another country that would rather be ruled by dictators.

I suppose it follows what President Franklin D. Roosevelt said, "He may be a son of a bitch, but he's our son of a bitch".

The dictatorship I lived in would call up and

demand a bus load of workers for a

' spontaneous ' demonstration

.

12 hours ago, Purdey said:

Another country that would rather be ruled by dictators.

I suppose it follows what President Franklin D. Roosevelt said, "He may be a son of a bitch, but he's our son of a bitch".

In dictatorships you get a call telling you

to send a bus load of workers to a

"spontaneous demo'.The people got no

choice .

12 hours ago, Jim Blue said:

The dictatorship I lived in would call up and

demand a bus load of workers for a

' spontaneous ' demonstration

.

In dictatorships you get a call telling you

to send a bus load of workers to a

"spontaneous demo'.The people got no

choice .

What dictatorship did you live in? There are a bigger percentage of Venezuelans that love Maduro as Americans who love Trump.

Juan Pablo Guanipa

Feb 8 (Reuters) - A prominent Venezuelan opposition politician was kidnapped in Caracas on Sunday night just hours after his release from jail, according to his son and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado, casting uncertainty over government vows to free political prisoners.

Juan Pablo Guanipa, a close ally of opposition leader Machado, was freed earlier on Sunday after more than eight months in jail on accusations of leading a terrorist plot, after months in hiding.

Guanipa's son Ramon Guanipa said in a video on social media his father was ambushed by 10 heavily armed, unidentified men who he called "officials."

Machado ally is kidnapped in Venezuela hours after prison release, son says