Venezuelan presidential election

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

More than 700 people arrested during protests that erupted after Venezuela's disputed presidential election have been transferred to maximum security prisons, a human rights group said on Aug. 31.

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."

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.

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado called Wednesday for supporters to "mobilize" after President Nicolas Maduro vowed to hold onto power following a widely disputed election.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro secured a third term with 51 percent of the vote, according to the country's election authorities. This announcement came shortly after midnight on Monday local time, despite several exit polls indicating a win for the opposition, as reported by Reuters.

The United States on Monday began reimposing sanctions on Venezuela by restricting its mining sector after the South American nation's top court upheld the disqualification of an opposition presidential hopeful.

In response, eight EU members recognized Juan Guaido as the South American nation's president.

Maduro on Monday informed the EU that the ultimatum was rejected and that (early) presidential elections would not be held in Venezuela. He claims that the recent elections were legitimate.

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro attends a meeting with members of the Venezuelan diplomatic corp after their arrival from the United States, at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas on Jan. 28. (Miraflores Palace / Handout via Reuters)