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's President Nicolas Maduro was sworn in Friday for a third six-year term rejected by the opposition as a "coup d'etat" achieved through election fraud and a campaign of repression.The opposition accuses Maduro,

Maduro and his aides have always rejected sanctions by the U.S. and others, saying they are illegitimate measures that amount to an "economic war" designed to cripple Venezuela. H

The Venezuelan capital Caracas was getting ready on Friday to host the inauguration of President Nicolas Maduro's third consecutive term as leader. Several central avenues of the city were blocked for the celebration under heavy police patrols.

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

Venezuelan opposition supporters protested around the country in a last-minute effort to put pressure on President Maduro the day before he is to be sworn in for his third term.

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

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.