© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
In a vote riddled with irregularities, and citizens angrily protesting the government’s actions, Nicolás Maduro has been declared the winner of Venezuela’s presidential election held on July 29, 2024, securing over 51% of the votes against opposition candidate Edmundo González, who garnered approximately 44%.
This victory marks Maduro’s third consecutive term as president, further entrenching his rule over the economically troubled nation.
Maduro, who rose from humble beginnings as a bus driver to become a prominent political figure, has faced significant challenges during his presidency. Since taking office in 2013 following the death of his predecessor Hugo Chávez, Maduro’s administration has been characterised by allegations of authoritarianism, widespread human rights abuses, and a devastating economic crisis that has led to severe shortages of food, medicine, and basic necessities.
Born in a working-class Roman Catholic family in Caracas, Maduro’s father was a prominent trade unionist,
A bus driver by profession, Maduro was involved with Hugo Chávez’s United Socialist Party. After rising through the party’s trade union ranks, he was first elected to Venezuela’s National Assembly in 2000.
Maduro quickly became Chávez’s right-hand man. Chávez, a fan of Che Guevara and known for his ‘silent coups’ to become president, had a significant influence on Maduro. Over the years, Maduro held several key positions, including president of the National Assembly (2005-06) and foreign minister (2006-13), before serving as vice president under Chávez (2012-13).
Following Chávez’s death from cancer, Maduro assumed the presidency in 2013, winning the special election with a narrow margin against opposition candidate Henrique Capriles to fill the vacancy.
However, his rise to power was far from smooth. Venezuela, rich in oil and strategically significant, became a battleground for political influence, particularly from the US, which viewed the country as a key area in its struggle against communist regimes. The US, echoing its actions in Cuba, Chile, and other Latin American nations during the Cold War, sought to undermine Maduro’s government through various means, including backing rival leaders.
A notable figure in this opposition was Juan Guaidó, the former speaker of the Venezuelan parliament. Guaidó received substantial support from the US and briefly posed a serious challenge to Maduro’s authority. Despite this, the Venezuelan socialist party’s robust political machinery managed to withstand the upheaval and maintain control.
Venezuela, once hailed as a potential economic powerhouse due to its vast oil reserves, now finds itself in a dire economic crisis under Nicolás Maduro’s leadership. Despite the country’s wealth in natural resources, the population has been plunged into severe poverty, exacerbated by hyperinflation, a collapsing currency, and critical shortages of essential goods. Maduro’s government has nationalised key industries, including petroleum, a move critics argue has only worsened the economic situation, prompting an exodus of millions, particularly to neighbouring Colombia.
Since Maduro took office in 2013, an estimated seven million Venezuelans have fled the country, seeking refuge from the dire conditions. Human rights organisations report that over 20,000 individuals have died as a result of extrajudicial killings, highlighting the brutal tactics employed by the regime to maintain control.
Maduro’s grip on power has been marked by a series of protests and political manoeuvres. In 2014, widespread demonstrations erupted as the middle class expressed their discontent with his administration. By 2015, opposition parties gained control of the National Assembly, yet Maduro managed to retain power through strategic alliances with the Supreme Tribunal, the National Electoral Council, and the military.
In 2016, Maduro successfully countered a recall referendum led by Juan Guaidó, then-speaker of the National Assembly, by effectively stripping the assembly of its powers through the Supreme Tribunal. This move sparked further unrest, leading Maduro to propose a constitutional overhaul in an attempt to quell the mounting crisis.
The political landscape reached a surreal point in early 2019 when Guaidó declared himself interim president, contesting Maduro’s legitimacy after a widely criticised election in 2018. The opposition’s claim to power was supported by over 50 countries, including the US, yet country’s military and allies in China and Russia remained loyal, allowing him to continue his presidency.
Despite the ongoing turmoil, Maduro has maintained a base of support among the working class, partially due to his government’s social programmes and the narrative of resisting foreign intervention. However, his administration’s failure to address the economic collapse has led to a staggering rise in poverty. Reports indicate that the poverty rate has surged to over 82%, with extreme poverty affecting more than half of the population.
In recent developments, the US has imposed sanctions on the Maduro regime, complicating the country’s ability to sell oil and access foreign currency. Although there was a brief respite when some sanctions were eased following a political agreement in October 2023, the US announced plans to reinstate these sanctions in early 2024 due to the continued repression of political opposition.
The recent election itself was marred by controversy, with the opposition and international observers raising concerns about the fairness of the electoral process. Reports of irregularities, voter intimidation, and restrictions on opposition candidates have cast a shadow over the legitimacy of the results. The opposition coalition, which has struggled to unify in the face of Maduro’s grip on power, has vowed to contest the outcome, citing a lack of transparency and fairness in the electoral process.
The 61-year-old leader’s government has consistently denied allegations of electoral fraud, claiming that the election was conducted fairly and that the results reflect the will of the Venezuelan people. In a speech following the announcement of his victory, Maduro expressed gratitude to his supporters and reiterated his commitment to continuing the socialist policies established by Chávez. “We will not allow the imperialist forces to undermine our sovereignty,” he declared, emphasizing his dedication to the Bolivarian Revolution.
