Venezuela: Mass Protests on Youth Day After the Fall of Nicolas Maduro's Regime

Crowds of demonstrators filled the streets of Caracas on Thursday, February 12, 2026, celebrating Youth Day in an atmosphere of hope for lasting political change. The largest gathering took place at the Central University of Venezuela (UCV), where students broke through physical and psychological barriers, chanting slogans of freedom. Protesters are demanding that the interim government immediately release all political prisoners and ensure the safe return of those in exile. Protests occurred not only in the capital but also in Madrid, where the Venezuelan diaspora supported the aspirations of their compatriots back home. Venezuela, which has been grappling with economic and political crisis for years, experienced a sharp turn in early 2026 when longtime leader Nicolas Maduro was detained as a result of U.S. military intervention.The central point of political contention remains the draft amnesty law. Although the debate in the National Assembly over its final form has been postponed, society views it as a necessary step toward normalizing public life. Students, the driving force behind the changes, vow that their voice will not be silenced after a decade of repression. The atmosphere in the streets is described as a "historic turning point," even though the real power structure after the regime's fall is still crystallizing. Demonstrators are exercising their regained freedom of speech, which until recently would have risked brutal consequences from security forces. thousands — people participated in the march in Caracas „Que lo sepa el mundo entero, a esta generación no la silenciarán – Let the whole world know, this generation will not be silenced.” — anonymous studentThe situation in the country remains tense, and opposition circles warn that a lack of swift reforms and real guarantees of civil liberties could lead to another wave of unrest. Parallel to the main demonstrations, groups of supporters of the previous regime marched in some parts of the capital, highlighting the deep divisions within Venezuelan society. The country's future now depends on the political class's ability to forge an agreement that encompasses a broad spectrum of amnesty and a clear path to conducting transparent elections under international supervision.