Venezuelan security forces hunt celebrants as pro‑government march demands Maduro’s release

Government officials led a large crowd through Caracas on Tuesday to demand the release of ousted president Nicolás Maduro, even as security forces searched for anyone celebrating his capture by the United States. Over several days officers have boarded buses, set up checkpoints, interrogated passengers and searched phones for signs of approval of Mr.

Maduro’s removal, rights groups and Venezuelans in the country said. At least 14 journalists and six citizens were detained in recent days; most were later released, the local media union said, and one journalist was deported. Human Kaleidoscope said officers opened WhatsApp chats and typed keywords such as “invasion,” “Maduro” or “Trump” to seek evidence of celebrations.

Rights groups and witnesses described a larger security presence on the streets, including colectivos, and reported arrests and alleged extortion, including a case in which police detained a produce vendor and demanded money for his release. The interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, who was sworn in as acting president at the National Assembly, has condemned the U.S.

raid that captured Mr. Maduro and appears to have declared a 90‑day state of emergency giving security forces broad powers to “immediately search and capture” those who support what the decree calls “the armed attack by the United States.” White House officials have expressed confidence Ms.

Key Topics

World, Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela, Caracas, Delcy Rodríguez, Diosdado Cabello