BOGOTA/ISTANBUL

Venezuela’s interior and justice minister on Thursday denied that opposition leader Maria Corina Machado had been detained.

Speaking at a march organized in support of President Nicolas Maduro, Diosdado Cabello stated that the reports of Machado’s detention were completely false.

"They are trying to stir things up with the lie that she has been detained. This is a completely fabricated claim, and I assure you of that. If her detention had been necessary, she would have been taken already,” Cabello said.

Arguing that very few people had participated in the opposition’s protest, Cabello added: "They are aware that they are lying. They made a big fuss about Machado’s alleged detention. Immediately after, statements were issued by former presidents and political groups calling for Machado’s release."

In response to criticism from some countries against Maduro's government, Cabello said: "If they come to Venezuela with bad intentions, they will receive the response they deserve. Enough disrespect toward our country. Venezuela is a free and independent nation."

Following reports of Machado’s detention, statements came from countries such as Chile, Ecuador, Argentina, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica, criticizing Maduro’s government and demanding the release of Machado.

'I’m now in safe place'

Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado took to social media platform X, stating that she had been detained by security forces but was now in a safe location.

Machado also mentioned that during her detention, a citizen was shot and injured, saying: "My heart is with the Venezuelan people who were shot and injured when the regime's repressive forces detained me. I am now in a safe place."

Machado's Press Office had announced via X on Thursday that the opposition leader had been detained.