Caracas, Venezuela — Protesters took to the streets in cities around Venezuela on October 22 to demand the government set a date for presidential elections. The protest comes amid ongoing negotiations between the government of interim President Delcy Rodriguez and the opposition, led by the 2015 National Assembly.
The largest gathering of opposition supporters took place in Plaza Venezuela, a central square in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas. Protesters held signs criticizing the government and some donned the country’s tricolor flag.
Protests took place near a demonstration by supporters of the government, known as Chavistas for their loyalty to deceased former President Hugo Chávez, who were commemorating the fight against breast cancer. There were no confrontations between the groups.
Latin America Reports spoke with several citizens at the protest, who explained the importance of holding presidential elections in the country soon.
Union leader Carlos Timaure stated that Venezuelans need to elect a new president. “We won’t accept any other kind of election,” he said.
In addition, they are demanding improvements to wages and pensions in the country, as the amount established by law is barely 130 bolivars ($0.15 USD). “We haven’t had a pay raise in five years; while there are raises all over the world, in Venezuela we’ve gone five years without a pay increase.”
In addition to holding elections, Timaure believes there must be true transparency in the results, since he considers that opposition candidate Edmundo González won the disputed 2024 elections and the will of the people was not respected.
He also weighed in on recent statements from Dinorah Figuera, the leader of the opposition delegation who told newspaper El Nacional that the presidential elections could take place in late 2027 or early 2028.
“We are not satisfied with [the timeline proposed by Figuera], and that is why we will continue taking to the streets to demand elections. This country cannot wait; we need elections as soon as possible.”
Alfredo Bevilacqua, a local leader in the Chacao municipality for Vente Venezuela, the opposition movement led by exiled Marina Corina Machado, said that the presidential elections will help put an end to the ills that Chavismo has brought upon Venezuelans.
“We want to put an end to these 30 years that have served no purpose and have only helped to destroy the country, in a way,” he said.
The activist believes it is important to allow Machado’s return so that pressure can be increased, the leadership of the National Electoral Council can be renewed, and, subsequently, a timeline can be approved for Venezuelans to return to the polls.
José Patines, an activist and labor rights advocate, believes this is the ideal moment to announce elections. “The conditions are in place; the people are determined to take to the streets to vote and fight for the quality of life we’ve lost.”
He believes there are a large number of Venezuelans with the intellectual capacity to quickly organize an electoral process. “We’re ready to hold elections and take control of our country’s destiny.”
Vente Venezuela reported on X that following the protest, seven people in charge of the sound trucks used in the civic mobilization at Plaza Venezuela were detained for several hours by the Bolivarian National Police.
Several pieces of equipment were confiscated from those detained, a move condemned by the political organization. “Providing a service and doing one’s job is not a crime. We will continue to denounce this situation until their belongings are returned and no one else is detained for doing their job and expressing themselves freely,” they stated.
#URGENTE
— Vente Venezuela (@VenteVenezuela) October 22, 2026
El regimen de Delcy Rodríguez, a través de la Policía Nacional Bolivariana, secuestró a SIETE personas que estaban a cargo de los camiones de sonido utilizados hoy en la movilización cívica de Plaza Venezuela.
Los 3 vehículos fueron confiscados, uno de ellos cuando… pic.twitter.com/5yUoC7CoAP
Shortly after this protest took place, Delcy Rodríguez issued a statement criticizing such demonstrations in the country.
“There are still very, very, very small groups that resist and believe that setting the country ablaze and blocking streets is the way for Venezuela to move forward. I acknowledge the decent Venezuelans who, through this dialogue, are driving the necessary changes,” she said.
The opposition’s complaint stems from the fact that, following former President Nicolás Maduro’s capture by U.S. forces on January 3, Rodríguez — who served as his vice president — took over as head of state.
The Constitution allows Rodríguez to hold the interim position for three months, subject to approval by the National Assembly, a period that can be extended for another three months.
However, this period has expired, which is why opposition members are calling for elections.
Featured image: Protesters on October 22, 2026 in Caracas, Venezuela demand new elections in the country.
Image credit: Julio Blanca for Latin America Reports
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