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.

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said she is now safe after her aides said she was “intercepted” at a protest in Caracas on the eve of President Nicolas Maduro’s inauguration.

The Nicolas Maduro regime arrested Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado on Thursday after opening fire against the driver of the motorcycle in which she was riding, people close to her team said.