Venezuela: Presidential inauguration in Caracas January 10 /update 10

Event

Increased security measures are expected in the capital Caracas amid the inauguration of President Nicolas Maduro on Thursday, January 10. The swearing-in ceremony will take place at the Supreme Tribunal of Justice(TSJ) beginning at 10:00 (local time).

Road closures, checkpoints, and a visible security presence are to be anticipated in the city, notably around the TSJ building, as opposition groups have called for protests to take place. Clashes with security forces are likely.

Context

Since the first half of 2017, Venezuela is experiencing a political and economic crisis that has resulted in shortages of food, medicine, gasoline, and other basic necessities, as well as extreme rates of violent crime and social unrest. An estimated 2.6 million Venezuelans have left the country, according to the UN.

On May 20, Nicolás Maduro of the PSUV (Partido Socialista Unido de Venezuela) won the country's presidential elections with 67.7 percent of votes. The main opposition coalition MUD (Mesa de la Unidad Democrática) boycoted the vote, claiming free and fair elections are not possible under Maduro's increasingly authoritarian regime.

Advice

Individuals in Venezuela are advised to strictly avoid all protests and political events due to the high likelihood of violence and to keep abreast of the sociopolitical climate.