Machado’s appearance at the rally was her first public appearance in months, since a government crackdown on Venezeulan opposition figures and their supporters last year.

Machado was released after a brief detention while leaving a protest in Caracas Thursday on the eve of President Nicolas Maduro’s inauguration.

Venezuela’s opposition leader María Corina Machado defies Maduro to lead protests that ended with her brief arrest.View on euronews

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado was detained amid antigovernment protests in Caracas on Thursday, a day before President Nicolás Maduro is expected to be sworn in to a third full

María Corina Machado was seized by President Nicolás Maduro’s regime after she appeared at a protest in Caracas.

President Nicolás Maduro will extend his increasingly repressive rule over Venezuela until 2031 when he is sworn in on Friday, despite credible evidence that his opponent won the latest election and following protests against his plan to serve a third six-year term.

Venezuela opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was arrested when her motorcycle convoy was fired on by security forces as it left a protest, aides said.

Opponents of Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday decried a worsening crackdown 48 hours before he is to be sworn in following elections he is widely accused to have stolen.