Venezuelans call for elections in first national protest in nearly two years – WTVB

Venezuelans call for elections in first national protest in nearly two years  WTVB

CARACAS/MARACAY, Venezuela, Oct 22 (Reuters) – Thousands of Venezuelans took to the streets on Thursday in the first nationwide opposition protest in nearly two years, as demonstrators demanded free elections and other political changes. The United Sta… CARACAS/MARACAY, Venezuela, Oct 22 (Reuters) – Thousands of Venezuelans took to the streets on Thursday in the first nationwide opposition protest in nearly two years, as demonstrators demanded free elections and other political changes. 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 US President Donald ​Trump and Rodriguez, Maduro’s former deputy, have said there will be elections, but have not set a date either for ‌a legislative vote or a national contest for president.

Opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado, who has been outside the country for nearly a year after living in hiding following a contested 2024 election, has said elections must take place by July 2027. Her Vente Venezuela movement organized the protest, which took place in the capital Caracas, as well as cities including Valencia, Maracay, San Cristobal and Maracaibo. “Seeing this makes me happy because I know change is possible,” said 18-year-old ‌cosmetology ​student Leosmary Hernandez, as she gathered with hundreds of others in northern Maracay.