Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado ‘kidnapped’, allies say

Leader reportedly freed after being violently intercepted' having left hideout to lead protest against Nicolas Maduro

Allies of Venezuela's most influential opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado, said she had been kidnapped" from the streets of Caracas by regime officials after sneaking out of her hideout to lead a major protest against the authoritarian president, Nicolas Maduro.

About three hours after the announcement, Machado supporters said she had been released having been knocked off a motorbike and taken away by force" while leaving the rally and had been compelled to record a number of videos.