"Thousands of Venezuelan teachers marched on Avenida Universidad in Caracas on Thursday to demand the immediate release of President Nicolas Maduro and reaffirm their support for acting president Delcy Rodriguez as part of Teachers' Day events. Footage shows protesters waving Venezuelan flags and holding banners in support of Nicolas Maduro and his wife, who were captured during the US military operation in Caracas on January 3. "Today teachers of this country are called to appeal for the release of our president, Nicolas Maduro Moro, on the occasion of the celebration of Teachers' Day. I ask that they give us back our leaders," said one of the rally participants. Organisers and union leaders said the protest calls not only for the release of the two leaders, but also for the protection of public education and the defence of national unity. "We must protect education workers, we must protect the women cooks, we must protect teachers, both men and women," said Hector Rodriguez, Minister of Education. Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, congratulated teachers, saying the country's development depends on transformative education and fair recognition of teaching work. She made the remarks on her social media account ahead of delivering her annual address to the National Assembly, where she presented a political, economic and social review of 2025."