Thousands of people took to the streets of the Venezuelan capital Caracas to demand the release of imprisoned President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, Al Jazeera reported. The demonstration came a month after the two were kidnapped in a US military operation.
"Venezuela needs Nicolas!", the crowd chanted during the demonstration, which was held under the banner "Gran Marcha" (Great March). The protesters carried signs in support of the kidnapped president.
Nicolas Maduro Guerra, the son of the detained president, said that the kidnapping of his father by US military personnel on January 3 would leave a mark on Venezuela forever. The land of our homeland was desecrated by a foreign army, he said.
Local media outlet Venezuela News reported that the march was part of a "global day of action" demanding the couple's release.
The country's interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, has been walking on thin ice since taking office, trying to appease Maduro's supporters in the government and comply with demands made of Caracas by US President Donald Trump. Trump has said he is ready to work with Rodriguez as long as Caracas complies with his demands, particularly regarding US control of Venezuela's vast oil reserves.