The crowd gathered in Barinas, which was home to the late Hugo Chavez, the long-time socialist firebrand who led Venezuela for more than a decade until his death in 2013 and was the political mentor of Maduro, whom he handpicked to succeed him.

Maduro has overseen the collapse of oil-rich Venezuela’s economy and is accused of running a repressive government. He is seeking a third straight term in the July 28 election.

Barinas state was a Chavez stronghold until the opposition triumphed in elections here in 2021 and again in 2022.

“If Barinas could do it, so can Venezuela,” read a huge banner on a building next to a stage where opposition leader Maria Corina Machado spoke, as did the opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia.

The little-known diplomat aged 74 is standing in for Machado in the election because courts loyal to Maduro have disqualified her, alleging corruption. She says the charges are bogus and has endorsed Gonzalez Urrutia.

“They believed they were going to break us,” Machado, 56, told the cheering crowd.

“What we are living today is magic, it is exceptional,” said Machado.

People watched the rally from the balconies of buildings and from rooftops, shouting words of support for her and Gonzalez Urrutia.

“You are gone, Maduro,” read one of the banners held up in the crowd.

Venezuelan police filmed people at the rally and journalists covering it.

In his speech, Gonzalez Urrutia said “Yes, change can be achieved.”

“With the support of all of you, I am committed to fighting from day one to end this situation arising from indolence and corruption.”