President-elect Donald Trump says Venezuela's embattled opposition leader must be protected as President Nicolas Maduro takes the oath of office for a third six-year term.

The Venezuelan capital Caracas was getting ready on Friday to host the inauguration of President Nicolas Maduro's third consecutive term as leader. Several central avenues of the city were blocked for the celebration under heavy police patrols.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was sworn in for a third six-year term after a reelection widely viewed as illegitimate and as his administration grows increasingly brazen in cracking down on its opponents.

President Nicolás Maduro was sworn in for another six years on Friday, despite evidence that he lost a July election decisively.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been sworn in to serve a third term despite credible evidence that his opponent won the July 2024 election

Venezuela opposition leader Maria Corina Machado on Thursday emerged from hiding to lead last-ditch protests against the swearing-in of Nicolas Maduro for president after elections he is accused of stealing.

Nicolas Maduro's inauguration on Friday for a third term as Venezuela's president drew widespread admonishment from countries that have accused him of stealing the July election.

Venezuela pro-democracy figurehead Maria Corina Machado was briefly detained by security forces after emerging from months of hiding to lead a protest

The opposition collected tally sheets from more than 80 per cent of electronic voting machines following the July 28 election, posted the tallies online and said they show González won twice as many votes as Maduro.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was sworn in for a third six-year term Friday despite international condemnation of his recent reelection as illegitimate, as his administration grows increasingly brazen in cracking down on opponents.

Nicolas Maduro's inauguration was illegitimate, Washington said in a statement noting that the U.S. will not recognize him as president