The Venezuelan leader responds defiantly to the request for international action against him made by former Colombian presidents Álvaro Uribe and Iván Duque

Venezuelans once again watched as Nicolás Maduro was sworn into office on Friday, donning the executive sash and declaring himself president despite irregularities and questions around his election.

The message seemed designed to reach Washington as one administration prepares to hand the baton to the next: If the United States keeps messing with Venezuela, then Caracas will retaliate by “liberating” the US territory of Puerto Rico,

he said, making his intentions clear. As if that were not enough, Nicolas Maduro also referred to his closest allies in the area, such as Cuba and Nicaragua, saying that they would join militarily to defend themselves against any attempted attack.

(AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez) Cuba’s Miguel Diaz-Canel, right, and Nicaragua’s President Daniel Ortega attend the swearing-in ceremony of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro for a third term in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. (AP Photo ...

Electoral authorities loyal to the ruling party declared Maduro the winner hours after polls closed on July 28, but unlike in previous presidential elections, they did not provide detailed vote counts.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been sworn in to serve a third term despite plentiful credible evidence that his opponent won the election.

or fighting with Nicaragua, Venezuela or I don't know who. I have to try to fight and make this country work.” During his broadcast show Con Maduro Más, the Venezuelan head of state agreed that ...

Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro has been sworn in for a third presidential term ... Maduro “violates the constitution, also flanked by the dictators of Cuba and Nicaragua, this says it all,” she added. White House National Security Council spokesman ...

Yesterday, opposition leader María Corina Machado posted a video on social media saying the moment was not right for his return. Recorded in hiding, she promised: “Edmundo will come to Venezuela to be sworn in as constitutional president of Venezuela at the right time.”

Nicolas Maduro's controversial presidency in Venezuela faces international backlash and economic decline amid authoritarian rule and sanctions.

The Venezuelan leader highlighted support from Nicaragua and Cuba as the United States and European Union back opposition leaders.