Venezuela opposition stages first nationwide protest in nearly two years to demand elections

Thousands of Venezuelans took to the streets on Thursday in the first nationwide opposition protest in nearly two years, demanding free elections and other political changes from the interim government. (https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/venezuelans-call-elections-first-national-protest-nearly-two-years-2026-10-22/)

The march, organised by the Vente Venezuela movement of opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, was held in the capital Caracas and the cities of Valencia, Maracay, San Cristobal and Maracaibo. The Jerusalem Post reports security forces were present in notably small numbers. (https://www.jpost.com/international/article-912635)

The United States has been working closely with the interim government led by acting president Delcy Rodriguez since US forces captured president Nicolas Maduro in January. Both Donald Trump and Rodriguez, Maduro’s former deputy, have said elections will be held, but neither has set a date for a legislative vote or a presidential contest. (https://www.arabnews.com/world/venezuelans-call-for-elections-in-first-national-protest-in-nearly-two-years-3007829)

Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize winner who has been outside Venezuela for nearly a year after living in hiding following the contested 2024 election, has said elections must take place by July 2027.

“Seeing this makes me happy because I know change is possible,” said Leosmary Hernandez, an 18-year-old cosmetology student who gathered with hundreds of others in northern Maracay. “I have high hopes for my country and for our next leader, president, Maria Corina.”

The ruling Socialist Party staged its own march from Caracas’ Plaza Venezuela — timed two hours before the opposition rally at the same spot — to commemorate breast cancer awareness month, with interior minister Diosdado Cabello pictured on state television. Demonstrators were also calling for the release of political prisoners; rights group Foro Penal says more than 320 remain detained. (https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/venezuelans-call-elections-first-national-protest-nearly-two-years-2026-10-22/)