Nicolás Maduro Sworn in as President of Venezuela Amid Controversy and Opposition Boycott

Nicolás Maduro has been inaugurated as president of Venezuela despite widespread international condemnation and a lack of verified electoral records. The swearing-in ceremony took place at the National Assembly, where Maduro received the presidential sash from the head of the assembly, Jorge Rodriguez. In a lengthy speech, he declared the inauguration a significant achievement for Venezuela, dismissing calls for transparency regarding the election results.

As Maduro assumes office, the United States has increased the bounty on his head to $25 million, while the European Union condemned his presidency, labeling it as lacking democratic legitimacy. The primary opposition figure, Edmundo González, who is recognized by international monitors as the winner of the July presidential elections, remains in the Dominican Republic after claiming Maduro’s election was fraudulent. The opposition continues to call for his return to Venezuela under more favorable conditions.

The lead-up to the inauguration was marked by a heavy police presence and arrest of opposition leaders, activists, and journalists, raising concerns over human rights and intimidation tactics used by the Maduro regime. High-profile opposition leader María Corina Machado recently reappeared after weeks in hiding, calling for public mobilization against Maduro's government. She claimed that González would eventually return to Venezuela when conditions improved.

International reactions to the inauguration have varied, with representatives from several countries expected to attend the ceremonial event despite not recognizing Maduro's presidency. Protests and clashes erupted in the streets of Caracas as opposition groups attempted to disrupt the inauguration, highlighting the ongoing turmoil and polarization within Venezuelan society.