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

President-elect Donald Trump says Venezuela's embattled opposition leader must be protected as President Nicolas Maduro takes the oath of office for a third six-year term.

Nicolás Maduro took the oath before parliament, vowing his third six-year term in office would be a "period of peace".

Almost no one outside Venezuela, and fewer people in the country, see him as a legitimate leader.

Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro began a third term as president on Friday, cementing his increasingly authoritarian rule.

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.

Britain announced new sanctions on Friday against 15 people associated with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government, saying they were responsible for human rights violations and undermining democracy and the rule of law.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is set to be sworn in for a third term on Friday amid protests and international calls for him to stand aside.

Global condemnation over the lack of transparency prompted Maduro to ask the country’s high court — also filled with allies of his United Socialist Party of Venezuela — to a

President Nicolás Maduro is set to be sworn in for a third six-year term Friday, extending his rule over Venezuela until 2031. The ceremony comes despite credible allegations of electoral fraud favoring opposition candidate Edmundo González and widespread protests challenging the legitimacy of Maduro's presidency.