CARACAS: Venezuela opposition leader Maria Corina Machado on Thursday emerged from hiding to lead protests in Caracas against the swearing-in of Nicolas Maduro for a highly controversial third term as president.

But the 57-year-old, who last appeared in public in August, was arrested after she led a protest in the district of Chacao.

Opponents of Venezuela`s Nicolas Maduro took to the streets in their thousands in a last-ditch protest against his swearing-in for a third six-year term as president.

After a July election that many believe was stolen, opposition supporters gathered in the capital Caracas, and towns and cities nationwide, to denounce what some called a `dictator-ship.` `Get out and leave the country in peace` read one Caracas protestor`s placard.

Machado called for Venezuelans to turn out in their `millions.` But there was no sign of the huge crowds that attended opposition rallies before July`s election, with some people saying they feared bloodshed.

Maduro`s supporters are holding a rival demonstration in Caracas, setting the stage for a possible repeat of July`s postelection violence, which saw 28 killed, hundreds wounded and thousands jailed.

The violence erupted after Maduro controversially claimed victory, without providing proof of his win, triggering mass protests. The opposition published its own tally of results from polling stations, which it said showedits candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia winning by a landslide.

The opposition saw the election as a chance to end a quarter century of military-backed rule that began with Maduro`s late mentor Hugo Chavez.

`We will see each other very soon in Caracas, in freedom, Gonzalez Urrutia told his countrymen in an address from the Dominican Republic, where he wrapped up a diplomatic tour aimed at pressuring Maduro to step aside.

Maduro has, however, swatted away the pressure and warned that `fascists` who try to prevent his inauguration will be severely dealt with by the security forces. State institutions such as the electoral council, the Supreme Court and the country`s military all led by hisallies have stood by him throughout.

In the Caracas district of Chacao, a large crowd of demonstrators, many waving Venezuelan flags, defied the threats with chants of `Freedom` and `Edmundo, our president, here are your people.` Seventy-year-old Rafael Castillo said he would risk his safety to see Maduro ousted. `I will leave my skin on the asphalt for my children, but it will be worth it because Venezuela will be free,` he said.

US denies coup plot In the run-up to his inauguration Maduro has accused the United States long opposed to his rule of plotting to overthrow him.

The United States and severalLatin American countries have recognised Gonzalez Urrutia as the legitimate election winner.

Maduro`s election victory claim was accepted by a handful of countries, including perennial Venezuela allies Russia and Cuba.

The Venezuelan leader claimed that among a group of seven `mercenaries` arrested this week, one was a senior FBI official.

The US State Department replied that allegations of Washington`s involvement in a plot to overthrow Maduro were `categorically false.` Maduro has ruled Venezuela since 2013 and despite a sustained economic crisis that has seen seven million citizens leave the country, he has shown no intention of relinquishing power.-AFP