The inauguration ceremony took place in a room in the Venezuelan National Assembly headquarters, contrary to previous ceremonies that took place in the main hall. Maduro took the oath of office in the presence of Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez.
In his first speech after taking office, Mr. Maduro said: “We have achieved what we knew we could do. This position was not given to me by a foreign government or a foreign president.”
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro celebrates at his inauguration ceremony on January 10
“Hopefully this new presidential term will be a new era of peace, prosperity, equality and democracy,” said Mr. Maduro, who has been president of Venezuela since 2013, adding that he would convene a commission. The Venezuelan government said about 2,000 guests from 125 countries attended the inauguration ceremony.
Mr. Maduro was declared victorious in the presidential election in July 2024 by the Venezuelan election agency, but the opposition cited evidence that opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia was the winner. Some countries do not recognize Mr. Maduro’s victory.
Venezuela expelled ambassadors from 7 countries protesting the presidential election results
Immediately after the inauguration of the Venezuelan president, the administration of US President Joe Biden moved to increase the reward from 15 million USD to 25 million USD for those who provide information that can lead to arrest or conviction. Mr. Maduro on charges of drug smuggling.
Washington indicted Mr. Maduro and several other individuals on drug and corruption charges in 2020, which Mr. Maduro denied. The Venezuelan presidential administration also denied European sanctions targeting Venezuelan officials, saying Western countries offered illegal methods to paralyze Venezuela.
