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

If you need one word to describe Venezuela these days, it would be fearful.” That’s what one Latin American diplomat told CNN this week, reflecting on the strange atmosphere in the country.

Venezuelan opposition parties and their supporters were holding protests around the country on Thursday in an 11th-hour effort to put pressure on president Nicolás Maduro, one day before he is due to be sworn in for his third six-year term.