Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said she is now safe after her aides said she was “intercepted” at a protest in Caracas on the eve of President Nicolas Maduro’s inauguration.

Edmundo González, recognized by the U.S. as Venezuela’s president-elect, is on a mission to bolster global support before autocrat Nicolás Maduro is sworn in this week.

Venezuelan opposition parties and NGOs decried the arrests of a prominent press freedom activist and a well-known opposition figure, among others, ahead of planned protests against Friday's inauguration of President Nicolas Maduro for his third term.

The Peykaaps are in Venezuela’s possession for one reason: to increase Venezuela’s power projection capacity and to complicate America’s. The Peykaap-IIIs are specifically designed to stunt and stymie the larger powers of the world while still allowing the Venezuelans to run roughshod over international shipping and their neighbors.

Machado, a former lawmaker who has spearheaded the opposition to President Nicolas Maduro in recent years, was detained by security agents who shot at motorcycles she was using to leave a protest in Caracas, the capital, according to posts on social media from her party. She was freed about an hour later, according to the party.

Venezuela’s government has doubled down on its intention to arrest the opposition leader who claims to have defeated President Nicolás Maduro in last year’s election

Countries across the region celebrated the Epiphany with performance and gift giveaways. Also known as Three Kings Day, it is one of the oldest festivals of the Catholic Church — commemorating the Biblical journey of the three Magi to visit baby Jesus that faithful view as evidence that Jesus was the son of God.

Complaints from detained opposition members and civil society leaders multiply on the eve of protests called against Nicolás Maduro, who will assume a third consecutive term this Friday. Venezuela is experiencing high tension on the day before the inauguration of Nicolás Maduro.

Panama's Foreign Minister Javier Martinez Acha welcomes Venezuelan opposition figure Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia at the Presidential palace in Panama City. Gonzalez Urrutia is due to hold a meeting with Panama President Jose Raul Mulino.

Opponents of Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday decried a worsening crackdown 48 hours before he is to be sworn in following elections he is widely accused to have stolen.

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has been freed after a brief detention following a public appearance and protest, her movement says.