Nicolás Maduro Declares Himself President of Venezuela in Controversial Inauguration

caracas - Nicolás Maduro has been inaugurated for the third time as president of Venezuela amidst accusations of a coup and election fraud.

Nicolás Maduro has been inaugurated for the third time as president of Venezuela, sparking controversy and accusations of a coup and election fraud. Despite presenting no evidence of his election victory, Maduro has begun another six-year term in office. In a nearly two-hour acceptance speech, Maduro pointed fingers at the opposition, claiming victory for Venezuela. The inauguration, held in Caracas, was attended by several international leaders, including Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua and Miguel Díaz-Canel of Cuba.

Many countries, including the US, Canada, and Paraguay, do not recognize Maduro's victory due to suspicions of election fraud and disregard for democratic principles. On the other hand, countries such as Nicaragua, Cuba, Russia, and China support Maduro as the legitimate president. Maduro's opponent, Edmundo González, who currently resides in Spain, was unable to return to Venezuela for his own inauguration due to safety concerns.

Maduro's actions have drawn criticism from opposition leaders, with María Corina Machado accusing him of violating the constitution by ignoring the will of the people. González, on the other hand, has vowed to return to Venezuela soon to put an end to the current situation. The international community remains divided on recognizing Maduro's presidency, with some offering rewards for his arrest.