Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado called Monday (July 28, 2025) for “clandestine” resistance against President Nicolas Maduro on the anniversary of his disputed re-election.
Electoral authorities declared Maduro winner of the July 2024 election despite allegations of fraud and without releasing a detailed breakdown of voting results.
The Venezuelan opposition says their candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia is the true winner. The ex-diplomat fled into exile after the election, while Ms. Machado — who was barred from standing in the election — has gone into hiding.
Speaking in a social media video, Ms. Machado accused Mr. Maduro of being “so afraid of being invaded” and overthrown, but said millions of people already in Venezuela will remove him from power.
Venezuelan authorities frequently accuse Ms. Machado of leading conspiracies against Mr. Maduro.
Nearly 1,000 leaders, including from Ms. Machado’s closest circle, have been detained since the election.
Ms. Machado called for “the clandestine organization of all structures within Venezuela” to disobey tyranny and prepare for civic action “when the time comes.”
Her opposition group had called for boycott of the May 25 parliamentary and gubernatorial elections, as well as mayoral elections held last weekend.
Mr. Maduro’s party won handily in both contests, and he gathered outside the presidential palace Miraflores to celebrate the wins on Monday.
Mr. Maduro slapped back at criticism.
“Enough of fascism, no more conspiracies, no more calls for foreign interventions, no more economic war, enough of fascism, enough of violence. Venezuela wants work, prosperity and to move forward on the path of unity,” Mr. Maduro said.