Motorcyclists rally for Maduro in Caracas

Thousands of motorcyclists rallied in Caracas demonstrating support for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro ahead of his controversial third term inauguration. The caravan, displaying Venezuelan flags and pro-Maduro imagery, highlighted the divided atmosphere in the country's capital.

Maduro's upcoming inauguration follows a disputed July 2024 election, where the National Electoral Council (CNE) declared him the winner without publishing official vote tallies. The opposition, led by Edmundo Gonzalez, contests these results, claiming their polling center data shows Gonzalez received more than double Maduro's votes, with support from 73% of collected tallies.

Gonzalez has been seeking international backing, recently meeting with Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino. In response, Maduro criticized Mulino as a "coward" during a meeting with Venezuela's High Military Command, suggesting he focus on defending the Panama Canal from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's alleged plans to seize control of the waterway.

The political tension occurs against a backdrop of severe economic challenges. Venezuela continues to struggle with triple-digit inflation and broad U.S. sanctions, contributing to one of the world's largest displacement crises. The International Organization for Migration reports that nearly 7.9 million Venezuelans now live outside their homeland, marking the second-largest displacement globally.

As the inauguration approaches, Caracas residents express mixed sentiments, with some hoping to prevent Maduro's swearing-in while others anticipate his third presidential term. The situation underscores the deep political divisions and economic uncertainty facing Venezuela as it enters this new political chapter.