Socialist President Maduro Inaugurated for Third Term Amid Election Loss Allegations and $25M U.S. Arrest Reward – One America News Network
OAN Staff Sophia Flores
10:54 AM – Friday, January 10, 2025
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has officially taken the oath for his third six-year term, despite substantial evidence suggesting he lost the election and widespread protests from the populace.
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On Friday, Maduro was inaugurated at Venezuela’s legislative palace.
“I promise by Bolivar, by Sucre, by Urdaneta, by Manuela Saez, in the enduring memory of our eternal commander Hugo Chavez … I vow by history, I vow by my life,” Maduro declared.
He is set to remain in power until 2031.
On July 28th, he was announced as the victor of the presidential election by electoral authorities closely associated with the ruling Socialist Party. However, the opposition in Venezuela reportedly conducted their own vote tally and concluded that their candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, had won with 67% against Maduro’s 30%.
Subsequently, Gonzalez has been exiled and now has a bounty placed on him.
The United States has recognized Gonzalez as the legitimate victor of the election.
Shortly after Maduro’s inauguration, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby informed reporters that Maduro “has once again shown a complete disregard for democratic norms and is proceeding with an unlawful inauguration today.”
Additionally, following the swearing-in, the United States announced an 18-month extension of Temporary Protected Status for qualifying Venezuelan nationals.
The U.S. is also offering a $25 million reward for Maduro and Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, one of Maduro’s top allies and officials.
On Thursday, the day before the inauguration, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado emerged from hiding to address a pro-government rally. However, her team reported that she was “violently intercepted” during the event.
“During her abduction, she was coerced into recording several videos and was subsequently released,” her team stated.
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