Sinn Féin has defended the attendance of two party members at the inauguration of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro in 2019. Photograph: GettyThe attendance of two senior Sinn Féin members at the 2019 inauguration of Venezuela’s former president Nicolás Maduro has been defended by the party. US forces captured Mr Maduro along with his wife Cilia Flores in a military operation earlier this month. Mr Maduro had been elected twice previously, in 2012 and 2018, having succeeded long-time socialist president Hugo Chávez. Mr Carthy confirmed that Sinn Féin had previously raised concerns about the actions of the Maduro regime.

Source: The Irish Times January 13, 2026 17:50 UTC