Venezuelans protest in South Florida as Maduro starts 3rd term amid $25M bounty

Venezuelans in South Florida gathered in protest Friday as President Nicolás Maduro was sworn in for a controversial third six-year term, amid claims of election fraud and a $25 million bounty for his arrest related to alleged drug trafficking.

Opposition leader María Corina Machado, who has spearheaded efforts to challenge Maduro’s rule, released a video addressing supporters.

5 p.m. report:

“Edmundo will come to Venezuela to be sworn in as the elected president of Venezuela,” Machado said, referring to Edmundo González, the opposition’s declared winner of Venezuela’s July election. She added that González would not return Friday as previously promised but would instead arrive “at the right moment.”

The swearing-in ceremony in Caracas, during which Maduro vowed to fulfill his term, sparked outrage among critics.

For many Venezuelans, the election highlighted deep frustrations with a government accused of fraud.

“I’m very sad from the situation now, but we have a little hope — that’s for the change,” said Susana Franco, a Venezuelan living in South Florida.

Protests erupted in Venezuela and beyond. On Thursday, Machado led demonstrations in Caracas, where hundreds chanted, “Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!”

In Miami-Dade County, home to one of the largest Venezuelan communities in the U.S., hundreds of Venezuelans gathered in Doral to express solidarity.

“The Venezuelan people already voted for Edmundo González. He is the real president of Venezuela,” said María Teresa Rafaelly, who attended a protest in Doral.

“I don’t think we lost,” added Fabiola Pascal. “I think we lose when we just give up.”

Opposition supporters in Doral were hopeful that Maduro has crossed a red line and that international isolation will become unsustainable for his government.

“Edmundo González Urrutia couldn’t land in Venezuela because he was afraid that they might do to him what they did to Maria Corina Machado, and we have to preserve his integrity,” said Maria Teresa Morin with Opposition Campaign, Miami. “We’re going to keep on fighting, we’re not going to lose our faith, and as MCM has been saying, this is until the end.”

The Biden administration announced Thursday an 18-month extension of Temporary Protected Status for more than 600,000 Venezuelans and Salvadorans in the U.S., further drawing attention to the ongoing crisis.

At the same time, the U.S. State Department raised the reward for Maduro’s capture to $25 million, citing his alleged involvement in drug trafficking.

The reward increase underscores international efforts to hold Maduro accountable while fueling hope for change among those seeking freedom for Venezuela.