Venezuelans in Trinidad and Tobago worry as tensions rise during Maduro's swearing-in

NICOLAS Maduro began his third presidential term in Venezuela (2025-2031) on January 10, amid worldwide criticism for his controversial election in July 2024, leaving Venezuelans in fear of the consequences.

Protests were reported in several Venezuelan cities, beginning on January 9 and are expected to continue into the next week.

Maria Corina Machado, leader of the opposition, issued an Instagram statement on January 10 after Maduro's swearing-in.

She called on the people to protest, and announced that Edmundo González, her ally and Maduro's rival in the elections, would return to Venezuela "when conditions are right."

Machado said, "It is time to do whatever is necessary to restore the Constitution."

The opposition has denied the results issued by the National Electoral Council of Venezuela who gave Maduro the victory, without disclosing the minutes to verify it.

The opposition, however, claims it has a copy of the minutes of an electoral council meeting that prove Gonzalez beat Maduro with more than 70 per cent of the votes cast in last year's election.

A tense border dispute with neighbouring Guyana is also worrying Venezuelans who are currently in TT.

The dispute surrounds Venezuela's recent attempts to annex the resource-rich Essequibo region, currently considered part of Guyana. Maduro has promised to take over the region and give its inhabitants Venezuelan citizenship. He also intends to take control of the natural resources, including oil deposits, found in the region.

Guyana and its president Dr Irfaan Ali have so far resisted all Venezuela's attempts to annex Essequibo and are relying on a judgement from the International Court of Justice to settle the dispute.

Venezuelans resident in TT have been calling for their countrymen to remain alert as they pray for peace on social media. Many of them fear for the safety of their relatives back home.

Alberto Aranguren, who has lived in TT for eight years, told Newsday his two brothers joined the protests in Valencia, a city in the centre of Venezuela and close to its capital, Caracas.

"My brothers know how important democracy is, and defending Edmundo Gonzalez’s victory in the presidential elections of July 28. We cannot allow Maduro to remain in power by confirming a dictatorship."

Aranguren said he was worried because the Venezuelan government deployed its military to the streets to quell the protests.

The situation in Venezuela has also generated socio-economic chaos. Many Venezuelans have reported on social media that they have been unable to send money and food back home from TT since the last week of December 2024.

Another Venezuelan resident in TT, Carmela Lugo, said, "Shipping companies have not been able to return from Venezuela to TT to pick up the packages. The maritime and air borders are closed due to Maduro's fear of a military invasion by other governments."

She said she had not been able to send money either, because bank accounts in Venezuela had been frozen.

"We are very distressed, but we trust in God everything will be resolved through peace, and Venezuela will once again be a great, prosperous and united nation."

Human rights activist Sofia Figueroa-Leon told Newsday on January 10 that Maduro's swearing-in as Venezuelan president "is completely unprecedented in Venezuelan history.

"The Venezuelan people voted on July 28, 2024 and made their voices heard loud and clear."

"Today the bounty for Maduro's arrest has been increased from US$15 to US$25 million."

International media have reported the US government has offered a US$25 million reward for Maduro's arrest.

Figueroa-Leon questioned how the TT government would handle agreements with the Maduro's regime.

"How can Maduro's situation... be conducive for TT doing business with Venezuela? Today's farce of swearing in himself as Venezuela's 'elected' president will have repercussions."

Many countries, including the US and Canada, recognised Gonzalez as Venezuela's president on January 10, while Venezuela's neighbours Colombia and Brazil continue to demand the  documents certifying the legality of Maduro's victory.