The 2019 Venezuelan protests began in the first days of January as a result of the Venezuelan presidential crisis. Protests against the legitimacy of the Nicolás Maduro's presidency began at the time of his second inauguration following a controversial presidential election in 2018. Rallies of support were also held for President of the National Assembly, Juan Guaidó, with some Venezuelans and foreign government's recognizing him as the acting President of Venezuela.
January
10 January – Nicolás Maduro is inaugurated for his second presidential term by the Supreme Tribunal of Justice. 11 January – The first open cabildo, a rally in the streets of Caracas, is held by National Assembly president Juan Guaidó, with many gathered there protesting against the failures of the Bolivarian government of Nicolás Maduro. The National Assembly declares that Guaidó is the acting President of Venezuela under the constitution and Guaidó calls more mass demonstrations on 23 January 2019, the 61st anniversary of the 1958 Venezuelan coup d'état. Maduro responded by calling the opposition a group of "little boys" while prison minister Iris Varela stated that she had begun to prepare prison cells for the opposition. 13 January – Guaidó is detained by the Bolivarian Intelligence Service (SEBIN), but is released 45 minutes later. Two journalists were also detained on-air while covering SEBIN's actions towards Guaidó: Beatriz Adrián of Caracol Televisión and Osmary Hernández of CNN. The twelve SEBIN officials involved were imprisoned days later. 15 January – Minister of Defense Vladimir Padrino López declares loyalty to Maduro, stating that he would give his life for him. In Valencia, Carabobo thousands of residents participate in open cabildos filling Plaza Prebo and its surrounding streets. 17 January – A group of Venezuelan ex-army and police officers in Peru announced their support for Guaidó, saying that they do not recognise Maduro as their president or leader. 18 January – Thousands of Venezuelans gathered in Carabobo to support Guaidó at open cabildo rallies in Valencia and other cities throughout the state. 19 January – Across 12 states, thousands of Venezuelans demonstrate in support of Guaidó calling for a "transitional government", with some Maduro loyalists attempting to assault attendees with sticks and machetes in areas such as Petare, Maracay and Zulia. 21 January – In San José de Cotiza, north of Caracas, over two dozen National Guardsmen participate in a mutiny against Maduro with the assistance of residents in the area during the early morning hours and are later captured by Venezuelan authorities. During the night, over thirty communities in Caracas and surrounding areas participated in strong protests against the Maduro government. The strongest protests occurred in San José de Cotiza, where the rebel National Guardsmen were arrested, with demonstrations spreading throughout nearby communities, with cacerolazos heard throughout Caracas. One woman who was confused for a protester was killed in San José de Cotiza by members of a colectivo, who stole her phone. 22 January – Protests throughout Caracas from the previous evening continue into the morning, resulting in the National Guard and National Police being deployed, with reports of tear gas being fired into streets and residential facilities. 23 January — A 16-year-old boy, Alixon Pizani, is killed a statue of Chávez is set on fire, and three people are killed in Bolívar in separate overnight protests, leading into the day of national protest. 24 January — Minister of Defense Vladimir Padrino López states to the Venezuelan public that a coup is in progress and thanked governments supporting Maduro for "promoting a dialogue, a constitutional solution". Cacerolazos continue throughout Caracas and authorities loyal to Maduro search homes to arrest protesters. 25 January — As protests continue, Guaidó calls for a continuous protest, also encouraging the people to keep up the fight if he gets arrested. 26 January – Venezuelan military diplomat in Washington DC, Colonel Jose Luis Silva defected from Maduro government and urge his fellow FANB to recognize Guaidó presidency. 29 January – US Secretary of State transfers control of Venezuelan Government assets to acting president Juán Guaidó. Soon afterwards, Venezuelan Supreme Court barred Guaidó from leaving the country and froze his bank accounts. 30 January – Thousands attend pro-Maduro government rally in Falcon state in the northern part of the country. 31 January – Self-declared Venezuelan acting president Juan Guaidó is supposed to be in secret talks with the country's military as he attempts to force Nicolas Maduro from power.