Donald Trump says Venezuela's embattled opposition leader must be protected, as President Nicolas Maduro prepares to take the oath again after allegedly stealing an election.

President Nicolás Maduro will extend his increasingly repressive rule over Venezuela until 2031 when he is sworn in on Friday, despite credible evidence that his opponent won the latest election and following protests against his plan to serve a third six-year term.

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, whose nearly 12 years in office have been marked by a deep economic and social crisis, was sworn in for his third term on Friday, remaining in power despite a six-month-long dispute over a contested July election and international calls for him to stand aside.

Venezuela is set to inaugurate a head of state on Friday – but there are still two men claiming to be the nation’s rightful president.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro will be sworn in for a third six-year term after a reelection widely viewed as illegitimate and as his administration grows increasingly brazen in cracking down on its opponents.

Venezuela is meant to inaugurate its next president Jan. 10. But with a contested election, who exactly will take power?

Sen. RICK SCOTT (R-Fla.) re-introduced his STOP MADURO Act this week to increase the maximum reward amount from $15 million to a maximum of $100 million for information leading to Maduro’s arrest and conviction. Another bipartisan bill would impose additional sanctions on Venezuela and try to pressure a move toward democracy.

Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro was sworn in for a third presidential term after an election the opposition says was rigged.

MIAMI - As Venezuela approaches January 10, a pivotal day in its history, tensions are mounting over a disputed presidential election, systemic human rights violations and dueling presidential inaugurations.

Two Americans have been arrested in Venezuela, with President Nicolas Maduro claiming the charges relate to an intent to "practice terrorism against the Venezuelan people."