Thousands of protesters in Caracas are demanding the release of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, one month after their abduction by American forces.

Thousands of people marched on Tuesday through Caracas, Venezuela, demanding the release of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, exactly one month after their abduction by American forces in a bloody nighttime operation. The protest, titled "Gran Marcha" (Great March), was organized by the government and attracted many public sector employees. Participants carried banners with messages such as "The Empire has kidnapped them. We want them to return."

Maduro's son, Nicolas Maduro Guerra, stated that his father's abduction will remain a "scar" on the face of the nation. The march was part of a "global day of action" to call for the couple's release, and protesters around the world showed solidarity. At the same time, interim leader Delcy Rodriguez attempted to balance support for Maduro with international demands, promising reforms and the opening of the energy sector to private investment. Students and relatives of political prisoners also called for the swift approval of an amnesty law that would free prisoners from the country's jails, but the legislation has not yet been discussed in parliament.