Thousands of Venezuelans took to the streets on Thursday in the first nationwide opposition protest in nearly two years. Demonstrators gathered to demand free elections and other political changes.
The protests took place in the capital Caracas as well as cities including Valencia, Maracay, San Cristobal and Maracaibo. The Vente Venezuela movement organised the demonstrations.
“Seeing this makes me happy because I know change is possible,” said 18-year-old cosmetology student Leosmary Hernandez in northern Maracay. She added that she had faced many hardships and difficulties studying due to economic problems.
The United States has been working closely with the interim government led by acting President Delcy Rodriguez since US forces captured President Nicolas Maduro in January.
Both US President Donald Trump and Rodriguez have stated there will be elections, but neither has set a date for a legislative vote or a presidential contest.
Opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado has said elections must take place by July 2027. Machado has been outside the country for nearly a year after living in hiding following a contested 2024 election.
The ruling Socialist Party called for its supporters to march from Caracas on Thursday to commemorate breast cancer awareness month. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello attended the government march, while opposition supporters moved their protest to a nearby location.
Demonstrators were also calling for the release of prisoners they say are held for political reasons. Legal rights group Foro Penal says there are still more than 320 political prisoners in Venezuela, despite releases under an amnesty law backed by the legislature earlier this year.
The government has repeatedly denied holding political prisoners and says the amnesty is generous.
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are facing drug and torture charges in the US and have pleaded not guilty.
