Venezuelans march for elections in first nationwide protest in nearly two years
Thousands marched in Caracas and other cities on Thursday, demanding a presidential election by 2027 and the release of political prisoners, as talks between the interim government and part of the opposition stall.
At a glance
- Thousands of Venezuelans marched on Thursday, October 22, 2026, in the first nationwide opposition protest in nearly two years.
- The protests were organised by Vente Venezuela, the movement of exiled opposition leader María Corina Machado, in Caracas, Valencia, Maracay, San Cristóbal, Maracaibo and other cities.
- Protesters demanded a presidential election as early as 2027, the release of all political prisoners and Machado's return; she says a vote must be held by July 2027.
- Security forces kept a low profile; acting President Delcy Rodríguez called the protesters 'very, very small groups'.
- Interim leaders and the US say elections will happen but no date has been set for a legislative or presidential vote.
Thousands of Venezuelans took to the streets on Thursday, October 22, 2026, in the country's first nationwide opposition protest in nearly two years, demanding a presidential election, the release of political prisoners and the return of exiled opposition leader María Corina Machado. The marches, organised by Machado's Vente Venezuela movement, took place in Caracas and several other cities, nine months after US forces removed Nicolás Maduro from power.
What happened
In Caracas, protesters gathered around Plaza Venezuela and closed several streets, calling for presidential elections as early as 2027 and the freedom of every political prisoner. Marches were also held in Valencia, Maracay, San Cristóbal and Maracaibo, and in the states of Nueva Esparta, Táchira and Zulia. Some gatherings in the capital drew thousands, while others, such as in Maracay, drew hundreds. "I want my voice to be heard," one 18-year-old protester said.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | Thursday, October 22, 2026 |
| Organiser | Vente Venezuela (María Corina Machado's movement) |
| Cities | Caracas, Valencia, Maracay, San Cristóbal, Maracaibo and others |
| Main demands | Presidential vote by 2027, release of political prisoners, Machado's return |
| Security | Minimal police and military presence |
Security forces were barely visible at protest sites, a sharp contrast with the crackdowns of the Chávez and Maduro years. In many smaller cities, demonstrators went home before dark. The ruling Socialist Party called a counter-march from Plaza Venezuela, billed as a breast cancer awareness event and attended by Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello; opposition supporters moved their rally to a nearby spot to avoid a confrontation.
Background
The Socialist movement has governed Venezuela since 1999, first under Hugo Chávez and then under Nicolás Maduro. US forces removed Maduro in January 2026, and since January 3 Delcy Rodríguez, his former deputy, has led an interim government as acting president, working closely with Washington. Maduro is now facing charges in the United States.
Both Ms Rodríguez and US President Donald Trump have said elections will take place, but neither has set a date for a legislative or presidential vote. Mr Trump said in September that it was "too soon" for an election. Three rounds of US-backed talks between the government and an opposition faction led by Dinorah Figuera, aimed at overhauling the Supreme Court and the National Electoral Council, have not produced an election deal. Machado's movement is not part of those talks.
Protests have been growing: the Venezuelan Observatory of Social Conflict counted 1,101 protests in September, about 37 a day, though most were small and focused on wages and services. A recent AtlasIntel survey gave Machado 52% support against 19% for Ms Rodríguez.
Reactions
Ms Rodríguez, who met Ms Figuera on the day of the marches, described the protesters as "very, very small groups" seeking to set the country ablaze, while saying she recognised Venezuelans who push for change through dialogue. Machado has said elections must be held no later than July 2027.
Why it matters
The marches are the clearest sign yet that the opposition is losing patience with a transition that has no timetable. Critics say Washington has put oil deals and economic stability first — in August Mr Trump announced an agreement giving the US majority control over more than 65 billion barrels, about a fifth of Venezuela's oil reserves. With Brent crude above $115 a barrel because of the Iran war, Venezuela's oil matters more than ever to world markets.
What happens next
Big obstacles remain before any vote: reforming the court and electoral council, updating voter rolls, agreeing election rules and rebuilding after the June twin earthquakes. Further rounds of government–opposition talks are expected, and the opposition is likely to keep up pressure on the streets. Any announcement of an election date would be the most important signal of where the transition is heading.
Questions people are asking
Why are Venezuelans protesting in October 2026?
They are demanding that the interim government set a date for a presidential election, release political prisoners and allow opposition leader María Corina Machado to return. It was the first nationwide opposition protest in nearly two years.
Who is running Venezuela now?
Delcy Rodríguez, Nicolás Maduro's former deputy, has led an interim government as acting president since US forces removed Maduro in January 2026. The United States works closely with her government.
When will Venezuela hold elections?
No date has been set. Delcy Rodríguez and US President Donald Trump say elections will happen, while María Corina Machado says they must be held by July 2027.
