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.

Some described their mood after Friday’s ceremony at the legislative palace in Caracas, Venezuela’s capital, like an emotional hangover while others said they feel abandoned.

Maduro’s inauguration seals an election outcome that opposition politicians and the US government say was stolen.