Edmundo González Urrutia

AFP FILE- Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate for the Plataforma Unitaria Democratica party, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, poses for a picture during an event with the Voluntad Popular opposition party in Caracas on May 23, 2024

Venezuelan opposition supporters gathered in Caracas on Wednesday, chanting "Liberty!" as their leader came out of hiding to lead a protest against President Nicolas Maduro's reelection, widely denounced as fraudulent.

Venezuela's opposition, claiming victory in presidential elections they say were stolen by strongman Nicolas Maduro, gathered in the thousands in Caracas and elsewhere on Saturday, vowing to fight "to the end."

The presidents of Brazil and Colombia called on Thursday for fresh elections in Venezuela after last month's disputed victory by Nicolás Maduro — a proposal quickly rejected by the opposition, who slammed the strongman for blocking a "political transition."

Ankara will continue to support the dialogue process in Venezuela, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday.


In a phone call with Maduro, Erdoğan wished that the elections may "lead to auspicious results for Venezuela," according to a statement by the Turkish Communications Directorate.


Venezuela's opposition leader emerged from hiding on Aug. 3, declaring "We have never been so strong," as President Nicolas Maduro slammed what he called attempts to "usurp the presidency" following the disputed July 28 election.