Opponents of Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro took to the streets in their thousands Thursday 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 "dictatorship."

"Get out and leave the country in peace" read one Caracas protestor's placard.

Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who has vowed to come out of hiding to lead the protests, 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 post-election 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........

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