Venezuelans protest and celebrate in Caracas

The two Venezuelan main political factions took action in Caracas as the opposition lit candles to protest the unfair imprisonment of innocent people, while government supporters marched to the Miraflores Palace to inaugurate December's festivities.

Supporters of the opposition, which included relatives of prisoners and defenders of human rights, held a vigil to demand freedom for the thousands imprisoned during the post-election protests in July. They also sought the support of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the Venezuelan government.

Earlier, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado urged Venezuelans worldwide to join the symbolic protest. "Let's defend our innocent victims, our heroes, our youth, our brave ones who have given their best in this fight," she said in an audio message posted on her X platform account.

On November 16, more than 100 people detained during the post-election protests were released, according to the local rights group Foro Penal. This was out of at least 1,800 people arrested, the group reported.

Supporters of Maduro marched through the streets in a parallel, crowded rally called The Great Takeover of Caracas and Defense of Peace to welcome the December festivities. The march was received by President Maduro at the Miraflores presidential palace.

“To the toxic people, the people who paint their mouths in red to go out and have fun, do we have to paint our mouths in red? The only thing we have painted in red is the Bolivarian and Chavista heart, this is indeed painted in red. Red heart as of the love for Venezuela. Do they (the opposition) want to see something red? Check our heart swollen with patriotism and love,” Maduro said.

The opposition in Venezuela is still exploring a way forward after Maduro was declared the winner of the July election by electoral authorities.