The inauguration of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has left his opponents grappling with conflicting feelings of hope and disappointment, pondering why the leftist leader could not be stopped despite credible evidence that he had lost the election last year.

Venezuela's authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro was sworn in for a third six-year term on Friday, following an election that many in the international community and the opposition considered rigged.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was sworn in Friday to a third term despite credible evidence that his opponent won the latest election and following protests in the South American country and abroad against his increasingly repressive rule.