Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, in office since 2013, is due to take the oath of office for a third term Friday despite a global outcry that brought thousands out in protest on the ceremony's eve.

CARACAS, Venezuela — Riot police were out in force in Venezuela ‘s capital Thursday looking to quell protesters seeking to block President Nicolás Maduro’s attempt to cling to power despite credible evidence that he lost last summer’s election by a landslide.

The US has recognized Edmundo González as the rightful winner of Venezuela’s presidential election, but Washington’s approach to Caracas could shift under Donald Trump.

President Joe Biden is scheduled to meet Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González at the White House on Monday, according to a senior administration official. The meeting comes as the Biden administration recognized González as the nation's "president-elect" following Venezuela's disputed July elections.

Though she was released within two hours, the reported arrest of María Corina Machado on Thursday marks a significant escalation by Nicolás Maduro’s regime in Venezuela.

Venezuela opposition leader María Corina Machado’s aides said she was detained on Thursday, followed moments later by official denials of her arrest, in a confusing

Tensions mounted in Venezuela ahead of strongman Nicolas Maduro's swearing-in ceremony, with Caracas vowing Monday to arrest exiled opposition figure Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia -- widely recognized as t

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The Venezuelan opposition leader who claims to have defeated President Nicolás Maduro in last year’s presidential election met Monday with U.S. President Joe Biden just days ahead of Maduro’s contested inauguration to a third term.

With his challengers scattered and reeling, Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro is set to be sworn in for a third six-year term on Friday, shrugging off international condemnation of a sham election and a brutal crackdown on dissent.

More than 2,400 people were arrested, 28 killed and about 200 injured in protests that met Maduro's claim of election victory last year.

Aides to Venezuela opposition leader Maria Corina Machado say she was detained Thursday, but they've been contradicted by authorities who accuse government opponents of trying to spark an international crisis.