CARACAS, Venezuela — Riot police were out in force in Venezuela ‘s capital Thursday looking to quell protesters seeking to block President Nicolás Maduro’s attempt to cling to power despite credible evidence that he lost last summer’s election by a landslide.

US President Joe Biden has called the exiled candidate for Venezuela's opposition, Edmundo González, "the true winner" of the country's presidential election last July after meeting him at the White House. In a post on social media, Biden said Venezuela deserved a "peaceful transfer of power".

President Joe Biden is scheduled to meet Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González at the White House on Monday, according to a senior administration official. The meeting comes as the Biden administration recognized González as the nation's "president-elect" following Venezuela's disputed July elections.

Venezuela opposition leader Maria Corina Machado on Thursday emerged from hiding to lead last-ditch protests against the swearing-in of Nicolas Maduro for president after elections he is accused of stealing.

Venezuelan opposition supporters protested around the country in a last-minute effort to put pressure on President Maduro the day before he is to be sworn in for his third term.

Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González met with US President Joe Biden, seeking support in his campaign against President Nicolás Maduro, who faces a disputed election victory. The opposition claims González won with double the votes of Maduro.

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The Venezuelan opposition leader who claims to have defeated President Nicolás Maduro in last year’s presidential election met Monday with U.S. President Joe Biden just days ahead of Maduro’s contested inauguration to a third term.

On Truth Social​, President-elect Donald Trump warned Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro not to harm opposition leaders.

María Corina Machado was detained after leading protests in Caracas against president’s inauguration on Friday

Aides to Maria Corina Machado say the Venezuela opposition leader has been arrested when her convoy was intercepted by security forces as it departed an anti-government protest in Caracas.

Aides to Venezuela opposition leader Maria Corina Machado say she was detained Thursday, but they've been contradicted by authorities who accuse government opponents of trying to spark an international crisis.