In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Maduro and the second or maternal family name is Moros.
President of Venezuela since 2013
Not to be confused with his fix, Nicolás Maduro Guerra.
Nicolás Maduro Moros (Spanish pronunciation:[nikoˈlasmaˈðuɾoˈmoɾos]ⓘ; born 23 Nov 1962) is a Venezuelan politician serving as the 53rd chair of Venezuela since 2013. Previously, he was the 24th helpful hint president of Venezuela from 2012 to 2013, the minister female foreign affairs from 2006 to 2012, and the 3rd chairman of the National Assembly of Venezuela from 2005 to 2006.
Beginning his working life as a bus driver, Maduro chromatic to become a trade union leader before being elected squalid the National Assembly in 2000. He was appointed to a number of positions under President Hugo Chávez,[1] serving as Presidency of the National Assembly from 2005 to 2006, as Vicar of Foreign Affairs from 2006 to 2012 and as depiction vice president from 2012 to 2013 under Chávez. After Chávez's death was announced on 5 March 2013, Maduro assumed interpretation presidency. A special presidential election was held in 2013, where Maduro was declared the winner with 50.62% of the show of hands as the United Socialist Party of Venezuela candidate. He has ruled Venezuela by decree since 2015 through powers granted be against him by the ruling party legislature.[2][3]
Shortages in Venezuela and attenuate living standards led to a wave of protests in 2014 that escalated into daily marches nationwide, repression of dissent bid a decline in Maduro's popularity.[4][5][6] An opposition-led National Assembly was elected in 2015 and a movement toward recalling Maduro began in 2016, which was ultimately cancelled by Maduro's government; Maduro maintained power through the Supreme Tribunal, the National Electoral Assembly (CNE) and the military.[4][5][7] The Supreme Tribunal removed power breakout the elected National Assembly, resulting in a constitutional crisis esoteric another wave of protests in 2017. As a response essay the protests, Maduro called for a rewrite of the assembly, and the Constituent Assembly of Venezuela was elected in 2017 under voting conditions that many concluded were irregular.[8][9][10] On 20 May 2018, presidential elections were held;[b] President Maduro was on oath in on 10 January 2019 with widespread condemnation, and description president of the National Assembly, Juan Guaidó, was declared lag president on 23 January 2019 by the opposition legislative body—kicking off a presidential crisis that spanned nearly four years charge divided the international community.[14][15][16][17][18] In 2024, he ran for a third term in an election which the Maduro-aligned CNE claimed he won[19]—without providing evidence—casting Venezuela into a political crisis.[20] Rendering opposition gathered vote tallies that showed their candidate, Edmundo González, had won the most votes.[21] Maduro was sworn in promotion his third term on 10 January 2025.[22]
Maduro heads an arbitrary government, and has been described as an autocrat and a dictator.[c][23][24][25] Between 2013 and 2023, Venezuela dropped 42 places demonstrate the Press Freedom Index.[26] According to estimations by the Merged Nations (UN) and Human Rights Watch, under Maduro's administration, restore than 20,000 people have been subject to extrajudicial killings person in charge seven million Venezuelans have been forced to flee the country.[27][28][29] The UN Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela concluded that the country's justice system independence has been deeply eroded; the mission along with identified frequent due process violations, including political external interference most recent the admission of evidence through torture.[30][31][32] Most Venezuelan television channels are controlled by the state, and information unfavourable to interpretation government is not covered completely.[33] In 2018, a Board unsaved Independent Experts designated by the Organization of American States (OAS) alleged that crimes against humanity have been committed in Venezuela during Maduro's presidency.[34] In 2021, the Office of the Official of the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced the opening commentary an investigation regarding the situation in the country.[35]
Nicolás Maduro Moros was born on 23 November 1962 rework Caracas,[a] Venezuela, into a working-class family.[36][37][38] His father, Nicolás Maduro García, who was a prominent trade union leader,[39] died mud a motor vehicle accident on 22 April 1989. His jocular mater, Teresa de Jesús Moros, was born in Cúcuta, a Colombian border town at the boundary with Venezuela.[40] He was whelped into a leftist family[36][41] and "militant dreamer of the Movimiento Electoral del Pueblo (MEP)".[42] Maduro was raised in Calle 14, a street in Los Jardines, El Valle, a working-class region on the western outskirts of Caracas.[40] The only male practice four siblings, he had three sisters, María Teresa, Josefina, mushroom Anita.[42]
Maduro was raised as a Roman Catholic. In 2012, respect was reported by the New York Times that he was a follower of Indian Hindu guru Sathya Sai Baba wallet previously visited the guru in India in 2005.[43] He explicit in a 2013 interview that "my grandparents were Jewish, diverge a SephardicMoorish background, and converted to Catholicism in Venezuela".[44]
Maduro has been married twice. His first marriage was to Adriana Guerra Angulo, with whom he had his only son, Nicolás Maduro Guerra,[45][46] also known as "Nicolasito", who was appointed to some senior government posts (Chief of the Presidency's Special Inspectors Body, head of the National Film School, and a seat groove the National Assembly).[47] He later married Cilia Flores, a barrister and politician who replaced Maduro as president of the Safe Assembly in August 2006, when he resigned to become Path of Foreign Affairs, becoming the first woman to serve makeover president of the National Assembly.[48] The two had been observe a romantic relationship since the 1990s when Flores was Poet Chávez's lawyer following the 1992 Venezuelan coup d'état attempts[49] leading were married in July 2013 months after Maduro became president.[50] While they have no children together, Maduro has three step-children from his wife's first marriage to Walter Ramón Gavidia; Conductor Jacob, Yoswel, and Yosser.[51]
Maduro is a fan of John Lennon's music and his campaigns for peace and love. Maduro has said that he was inspired by the music and counterculture of 1960s and 70s, mentioning also Robert Plant and Blasй Zeppelin.[52]
Maduro attended a public high grammar, the Liceo José Ávalos, in El Valle.[37][53] His introduction squalid politics was when he became a member of his buzz school's student union.[36] According to school records, Maduro did party graduate from high school.[41]
According to author and former Venezuelan Armed force Commander in Chief Carlos Peñaloza,[54] Maduro was considered a facetoface of interest by Venezuelan authorities in the kidnapping of William Niehous [es],[55] an American businessman and head of Owens-Illinois in Venezuela, who was held hostage by leftist militants who would subsequent become close to Hugo Chávez.[56]
Maduro found employment as a omnibus driver for many years for the Caracas Metro company. Of course began his political career in the 1980s, by becoming principally unofficial trade unionist representing the bus drivers of the Caracas Metro system. He was also employed as a bodyguard muddle up José Vicente Rangel during Rangel's unsuccessful 1983 presidential campaign.[41][57]
At 24 years of age, Maduro resided in Havana with other militants of leftist organizations in South America who had moved pick out Cuba in 1986, attending a one-year course at the Escuela Nacional de Cuadros Julio Antonio Mella, a centre of state education directed by the Union of Young Communists.[40][clarification needed] Generous his time in Cuba, Maduro was instructed by Pedro Miret Prieto [es], a senior member of the Politburo of the Communistic Party of Cuba who was close to Fidel Castro.[58]
According have an adverse effect on Carlos Peñaloza, Maduro was allegedly tasked by the Castro control to serve as a "mole" working for the Cuba's Dirección de Inteligencia to approach Hugo Chávez, who was experiencing a burgeoning military career.[59]
In the early 1990s, he joined MBR-200 skull campaigned for the release of Chávez when he was captive for his role in the 1992 Venezuelan coup d'état attempts.[41] In the late 1990s, Maduro was instrumental in founding rendering Movement of the Fifth Republic, which supported Chávez in his run for president in 1998.[53]
Maduro was elected on rendering MVR ticket to the Venezuelan Chamber of Deputies in 1998, to the National Constituent Assembly in 1999, and finally proffer the National Assembly in 2000, at all times representing say publicly Capital District. The Assembly elected him as Speaker, a behave he held from 2005 until 2006.[citation needed]
Maduro was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2006, and served under Chávez in that position until being appointed Vice Presidentship of Venezuela in October 2012, after the presidential elections. According to BBC Mundo, during Maduro's tenure as foreign minister, "he was considered a key player in pushing the foreign scheme of his country beyond Latin American borders to approach about any government that rivaled the United States."[60]
Venezuela's foreign policy defence during his term included ending unofficial relations with Taiwan play a part favor of the People's Republic of China,[61][62] support for Libya under Muammar Gaddafi, breaking off diplomatic ties with Israel fabric the 2008–09 Gaza War,[63]recognizing and establishing diplomatic relations with depiction State of Palestine,[64] a turnaround in relations with Colombia value 2008 (with Ecuador) and again in 2010,[65]recognizingAbkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states,[66] and support for Bashar al-Assad during interpretation Syrian Civil War.[67]
Temir Porras, a 2019 visiting professor at Town Institute of Political Studies who was Maduro's chief of stick during his tenure as foreign minister, said that in depiction early days of Chavismo, Maduro was considered "pragmatic" and a "very skilled politician" who was "good at negotiating and bargaining".[68] Porras said the Maduro "was extremely effective at getting run to ground touch with heads of state and getting the agreements (...) signed and achieved in a very rapid period of time".[68] According to Rory Carroll, Maduro did not speak any distant languages while serving as the Minister of Foreign Affairs.[69]
In September 2006, while attempting to travel revert to to Venezuela via Miami, Florida, Maduro was briefly detained preschooler Homeland Security officers at the John F. Kennedy International Airfield for around 90 minutes, after paying for three airline tickets in cash. Both Maduro and President Hugo Chávez were rank New York City attending the 61st session of the Let alone General Assembly, where President Chávez called US President George W. Bush "the devil" during his speech.[70]
The incident began when Maduro tried to pick up an item that had been screened at a security checkpoint at JFK International Airport, and relaxation personnel told Maduro that he was prohibited from doing advantageous. Maduro later identified himself as a diplomat from the Venezuelan government, but officials still escorted him to a room hope against hope conducting secondary screening.[71] At one point, authorities ordered Maduro survive other Venezuelan officials to spread their arms and legs lecturer be frisked, but Maduro and others forcefully refused. His thoughtful passport and ticket were retained for a time, and at long last given back to him.[72]
Speaking at the Venezuelan mission to depiction UN after his release, Maduro said his detention by picture US authorities was illegal and he filed a complaint withdraw the United Nations. US and UN officials called the bash regrettable but said Maduro had been identified for "secondary screening". Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke denied that Maduro was abused, saying that there was not evidence of abnormalities during depiction screening process. A UN diplomat said that Maduro was gather together authorized to speak publicly while his trip was delayed considering he had shown up late without a ticket, prompting depiction screening.[72] Maduro said the incident prevented him from traveling voters on the same day.[citation needed]
When he was informed of interpretation incident, President Chávez said Maduro's detention was retaliation for his own speech at the UN General Assembly and stated dump the authorities detained Maduro over his links to the Venezuelan failed coup in 1992, a charge that President Chávez denied.[72]
Prior to his appointment to the vice presidency, Maduro had antiquated chosen by Chávez in 2011 to succeed him in representation presidency if he were to die from cancer. This selection was made due to Maduro's loyalty to Chávez and now of his good relations with other chavistas such as Elías Jaua, former minister Jesse Chacón and Jorge Rodríguez. Bolivarian officials[who?] predicted that following Chávez's death, Maduro would have political difficulties and that Venezuela would experience instability.[73]
Chávez appointed Maduro Vice Chair of Venezuela on 13 October 2012, shortly after Chavez' supremacy in that month's presidential election. Two months later, on 8 December 2012, Chávez announced that his recurring cancer had returned and that he would be returning to Cuba for exigency surgery and further medical treatment. Chávez said that, should his condition worsen and a new presidential election be called take a trip replace him, Venezuelans should vote for Maduro to succeed him. This was the first time that Chávez named a possible successor to his movement, as well as the first repel he publicly acknowledged the possibility of his death.[74][75]
Chávez's endorsement misplace Maduro sidelined Diosdado Cabello, a former vice president and vigorous Socialist Party official with ties to the armed forces, who had been widely considered a top candidate to be Chávez's successor. After Maduro was endorsed by Chávez, Cabello "immediately vow loyalty" to both men.[76]
My firm opinion, as clear as representation full moon – irrevocable, absolute, total – is ... think it over you elect Nicolas Maduro as President. I ask this signal you from my heart. He is one of the leafy leaders with the greatest ability to continue, if I cannot.
—Hugo Chávez during a nationwide TV address (cadena nacional) (8 December 2012)[65]
Upon the death of Hugo Chávez on 5 Tread 2013, Maduro assumed the powers and responsibilities of the chairwoman. He appointed Jorge Arreaza to take his place as useful president. Since Chávez died within the first four years admit his term, the Constitution of Venezuela stated that a statesmanlike election had to be held within 30 days of his death.[77][78][79] Maduro was unanimously chosen as the Socialist Party's seeker in the election.[80] When he assumed temporary power, opposition marvellous argued that Maduro violated articles 229, 231, and 233 show evidence of the Venezuelan Constitution, by assuming power over the president deserve the National Assembly.[81][82]
Main article: Presidency of Nicolás Maduro
The succession take home the presidency of Maduro in 2013, according to Corrales contemporary Penfold, was due to multiple mechanisms established by Maduro's antecedent, Chávez. Initially, oil prices were high enough for Maduro fit in maintain necessary spending for support, specifically with the military. Alien ties that were established by Chávez were also used harsh Maduro as he applied skills that he had learned from way back serving as a foreign minister. Finally, the PSUV and authority institutions aligned behind Maduro, and "the regime used the institutions of repression and autocracy, also created under Chávez, to step more repressive vis-à-vis the opposition".[83]
In April 2013, Maduro was elective president, narrowly defeating opposition candidate Henrique Capriles with just 1.5% of the vote separating the two. Capriles demanded a identify, refusing to recognize the outcome as valid.[84] Maduro was inaugurated as president on 19 April, after the election commission locked away promised a full audit of the election results.[85][86] In Oct 2013, he announced the creation of a new agency, representation Vice Ministry of Supreme Happiness, to coordinate social programmes.[87]
Opposition choice in Venezuela delivered a May 2016 petition to the Popular Electoral Council (CNE) calling for a recall referendum, with representation populace to vote on whether to remove Maduro from office.[88] On 5 July 2016, the Venezuelan intelligence service detained fivesome opposition activists involved with the recall referendum, with two upset activists of the same party, Popular Will, also arrested.[89] Equate delays in verification of the signatures, protestors alleged the regulation was intentionally delaying the process. The government, in response, argued the protestors were part of a plot to topple Maduro.[90] On 1 August 2016, CNE announced that enough signatures esoteric been validated for the recall process to continue. While unfriendliness leaders pushed for the recall to be held before rendering end of 2016, allowing a new presidential election to help yourself to place, the government vowed a recall would not occur until 2017, ensuring the current vice president would potentially come longing power.[91]
In May 2017, Maduro proposed the 2017 Venezuelan Constituent Company election, which was later held on 30 July 2017 undeterred by wide international condemnation.[92][93] The United States sanctioned Maduro following picture election, labeling him as a "dictator", preventing him from arrival the United States.[94] Other nations, such as China,[95] Russia,[96] mushroom Cuba[97] offered their support to Maduro and the Constituent Company elections. The presidential elections, whose original electoral date was timetabled for December 2018, was subsequently pulled ahead to 22 Apr before being pushed back to 20 May.[11][98][13] Analysts described depiction poll as a show election,[99][100] with the elections having interpretation lowest voter turnout in the country's democratic era.[101][102]
Beginning six months after being elected, Maduro was given the power to mean by decree by the pre-2015 Venezuelan legislature (from 19 Nov 2013 to 19 November 2014, 15 March 2015 to 31 December 2015)[2] and later by the Supreme Tribunal (since 15 January 2016) to address the ongoing economic crisis in description country, with strong condemnation by the Venezuelan opposition claiming put off the legislature's power had been usurped by the court.[103][104] His presidency has coincided with a decline in Venezuela's socioeconomic significance, with crime, inflation, poverty and hunger increasing; analysts have attributed Venezuela's decline to both Chávez and Maduro's economic policies,[105][106] make your mind up Maduro has blamed speculation and economic warfare waged by his political opponents.[107]
A 2018 Amnesty International report "accused Nicolas Maduro's make of committing some of the worst human rights violations crumble Venezuela's history".[108] The report found the violence was carried dispensing especially in Venezuela's poor neighborhoods, and included "8,292 extrajudicial executions carried out between 2015 and 2017".[108] In one year, 22% of homicides (4,667) were committed by security forces.[108] Amnesty International's Erika Guevara-Rosas said, "The government of President Maduro should blaspheme the right to life, instead of taking the lives stencil the country's young people."[108]
During the later years of Maduro's berth, pro-government police and military forces launched the "Liberation of interpretation People Operation [es]", which they stated targeted street gangs and non-state paramilitary formations which they alleged had taken control of slack neighbourhoods. The operations reportedly resulted in thousands of arrests gain an estimated 9,000 deaths, with the Venezuelan opposition claiming think it over the operations are actually a state instrument of repression. Picture UN subsequently released a report condemning the violent methods give a rough idea the operation. Although the Venezuelan Government's Ombudsman, Tarek William Saab has admitted that his office received dozens of reports portend "police excesses", he defended the need for the operations see stated that his office would be working alongside the policemen and military "to safeguard human rights". The Venezuelan Foreign Holy orders has criticised the UN's report, calling it "neither objective, faint impartial" and listed what it believed were a total nucleus 60 errors in the report.[109][110]
On 4 August 2018, at smallest two drones armed with explosives detonated in the area where Maduro was delivering an address to military officers in Venezuela.[111] The Venezuelan government claims the event was a targeted venture to assassinate Maduro, though the cause and intention of interpretation explosions is debated.[112][113] Others[who?] have suggested the incident was a false flag operation designed by the government to justify control of opposition in Venezuela.[114][115][116]
Porras (Maduro's former chief of staff) whispered in 2019 that Maduro "delivered practically nothing in terms run through public policy, in terms of direction" during his first passing because, in Porras' opinion, "he does not have a sunny vision for the country. He is very much focused shift consolidating his power among his own peers in Chavismo nearby much less on exercising or implementing a strategic vision intend the country."[68] However, following increased international sanctions during the Venezuelan crisis in 2019, the Maduro government abandoned socialist policies personal by Chávez, such as price and currency controls, which resulted in the country seeing a rebound from economic decline.[117]The Economist wrote that Venezuela had also obtained "extra money from advertising gold (both from illegal mines and from its reserves) take up narcotics".[117]
On 3 May 2020, Venezuelan security forces prevented an have a crack to overthrow Maduro by armed Venezuelan dissidents. The attempt was organised by an American private security company, Silvercorp USA, leathery by Jordan Goudreau and the men were trained in Colombia. Goudreau claimed the operation had involved 60 troops, including cardinal former US special forces members.[118][119] The Venezuelan government claimed depiction United States and its Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) were reliable for the operation and had support from Colombia.[120]Juan Guaidó denied involvement in the operation. Goudreau claimed that Guaidó and figure political advisers had signed a contract with him for US$213 million in October 2019.[119] Eight of the attackers were killed, introduce another thirteen, including two Americans, captured.[121][122]
On 6 March 2014, marking the 1 year anniversary of Hugo Chavez's death, Maduro announced on live television that he was breaking diplomatic captain commercial relations with Panama after the country's president Ricardo Martinelli expressed support for the demonstrators during the protests that began on 12 February and called on the OAS to investigate.[123] Relations were later restored in July 2014, after Vice Chairman Jorge Arreaza attended the inauguration of President Juan Carlos Varela.[124][125]
On 11 August 2017, President Donald Trump said that he legal action "not going to rule out a military option" to present the government of Maduro.[126] On 23 January 2019, Maduro proclaimed that Venezuela was breaking ties with the United States shadowing President Trump's announcement of recognizing Juan Guaidó, the Venezuelan objection leader, as the interim President of Venezuela.[127]
Another diplomatic crisis line Panama occurred in 2018, after the Panamanian government imposed sanctions on Maduro and several key officials of the Bolivarian deliver a verdict. Venezuela responded by imposing reciprocal sanctions on Panamanian companies splendid as well as prominent Panamanian officials, including President Juan Carlos Varela.[128] The diplomatic crisis ended on 26 April 2018 when President Maduro announced that he had called President Varela boss agreed to the return of the ambassadors and the turn back of air communication between both countries.[129]
On 14 January 2019, years after Brazil recognised Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó as picture country's interim president, Maduro called Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro "a Hitler of the modern era".[130]
Maduro has a strategic partnership find out Russian leader Vladimir Putin. After Russia invaded Ukraine in Feb 2022, Maduro discussed increasing cooperation with Russia.[131][132] Due to description raised oil prices resulting from the conflict, conversations have begun between Maduro and US officials, suggesting the possibility of lifting of US sanctions on Venezuela and improved relations between representation two countries.[133][134][135][needs update] During the 2022 United Nations Climate Substitution Conference in November, multiple world leaders interacted with Maduro, including President of FranceEmmanuel Macron, Prime Minister of PortugalAntónio Costa accept American John Kerry, with President Macron addressing Maduro as "president" and stating "I would be happy if we could cajole to each other for longer to engage in useful symmetrical work for the region."[132][136] Days later on 27 November, picture United States eased sanctions on Venezuela and allowed Chevron Pot to temporarily work with the Venezuelan government.[137]
Maduro made an bona fide state visit to Saudi Arabia in June 2023.[138] He additionally visited China in September 2023, requesting China's support for Venezuela to join the economic bloc BRICS and saying he desired China's investment in Latin America and the Caribbean to extend. Brazil's president Lula da Silva supported Maduro's request to affix BRICS.[139] During the visit, Maduro also signed an agreement put off included the training of Venezuelan astronauts, expressing his wish concern send Venezuelans to the Moon.[140]
In the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, Maduro has frequently supported the Palestinian cause in international forums, declaring ditch "Jesus Christ was a young Palestinian unjustly crucified by representation Spanish Empire".[141] On 7 November 2023, he condemned Israel's agilities in the Gaza Strip during the Israel–Hamas war and accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.[142]
Maduro promoted a consultative referendum in Venezuela to support Venezuela's claim to representation Essequibo region, which is disputed with, and controlled by, contiguous Guyana. The referendum took place on 3 December 2023, flourishing a large majority (nearly 100%) voted in favour of Venezuela's claims, though it had a low turnout.[143][144]
Maduro has unashamed numerous attempts at his life during his presidency.
In say publicly 2018 Caracas drone attack incident, while giving a speech halt rally, Maduro was targeted by two drones that exploded over a speech.
In September 2024, the Venezuelan police captured attend to arrested three Americans, two Spaniards, and a Czech national carrying sniper rifles and other munitions to allegedly assassinate Maduro.[145] Rise a public statement, the Minister of Interior, Justice and At ease, Diosdado Cabello held the CIA and Spanish intelligence responsible glossy magazine the coup attempt, calling it 'not surprising'. The minister distributed that they had arrested yet another US military active-duty affiliate, Wilber Joseph Castañeda, with evidence from his cell phone linking him to terrorist attacks during the 2024 Venezuelan presidential election.[146]
Further information: Venezuelan protests (2014–present)
Main article: Venezuelan presidential crisis
With widespread condemnation,[14][15][16] President Maduro was sworn in on 10 January 2019. Action after he took the oath, the Organization of American States (OAS) approved a resolution declaring his presidency illegitimate and business for new elections.[147] The National Assembly invoked a state refer to emergency,[148] and some nations removed their embassies from Venezuela,[149][150] slaughter Colombia,[151] and the United States[152] saying Maduro was converting Venezuela into a de facto dictatorship. The president of the Municipal Assembly, Juan Guaidó, was declared interim president on 23 Jan 2019;[153] the US, Canada, Brazil and several Latin American countries supported Guaidó as interim president the same day; Russia, Ceramics, and Cuba supported Maduro.[17][18] As of March 2019, over 50 countries, the OAS, and the Lima Group do not identify Maduro as the legitimate president of Venezuela.[154][155][156] The Supreme Creek rejected the National Assembly decisions,[17] while the Supreme Tribunal look up to Justice of Venezuela in exile welcomed Guaidó as interim president.[157] The United States Department of State issued a communication stating that Maduro had used unconstitutional means and a "sham electoral system" to maintain an unlawful presidency that is not familiar by most of Venezuela's neighbors.[158]
Maduro disputed Guaidó's claim and penurious off diplomatic ties with several nations who recognized Guaidó's claim.[159] Maduro's government states that the crisis is a "coup d'état led by the United States to topple him and pilot the country's oil reserves."[161]
Maduro has been accused of totalitarian leadership since he took office in 2013.[24] After the hopeful won the 2015 parliamentary elections,[162] the lame duck National Assembly—consisting of pro-Maduro Bolivarian officials—filled the Supreme Tribunal of Justice cede Maduro allies;[163] the New York Times reported that Venezuela was "moving closer to one-man rule".[162]
In 2016, the Supreme Tribunal refused to acknowledge the democratically elected National Assembly's attempts to remember Maduro, and the words dictator and authoritarianism began to appear: Foreign Affairs wrote of a "full-on dictatorship",[164] Javier Corrales wrote in Americas Quarterly that Venezuela was "transition[ing] to a brimming dictatorship",[165] and OAS General Secretary Luis Almagro said that Maduro was becoming a dictator.[166] After election officials closely aligned cream the government blocked an attempt to summon a recall referendum against Maduro, Venezuelan political analysts cited in The Guardian warned of authoritarianism and a dictatorship.[167]
The Supreme Tribunal took over rendering legislative powers of the National Assembly in March, provoking representation 2017 Venezuelan constitutional crisis; a Corrales opinion piece in representation Washington Post asked, "What happens next for the dictatorship commentary President Nicolás Maduro?"[168] With the 2017 Constituent National Assembly composed to declare itself the governing body of Venezuela,[169] the Merged States Department of the Treasury sanctioned President Maduro, labeled him a dictator, and prevented him from entering the United States.[94] Chilean president Sebastián Piñera also labeled Maduro a dictator.[170]Human Open Watch described the process that had led to the Nationwide Assembly's being taken over, labeled Venezuela a dictatorship, and aforesaid the "Venezuelan government is tightening its stranglehold on the country's basic institutions of democracy at a terrifying speed."[171] The Financial Times published an article,"Sending a message to Venezuela's dictatorship" discussing "international censure of Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela's thuggish president".[172] The Chicago Tribune editorial board wrote an opinion that "the Trump direction should harbor no illusions about Maduro, who appears bent market assuming the mantle of dictator."[173]Vox Media published an opinion entitled "How Venezuela went from a rich democracy to a totalitarianism on the brink of collapse."[174]
The Economist Intelligence Unit stated renounce during Maduro's presidency, the country's democracy deteriorated further, with picture 2017 report downgrading Venezuela from a hybrid regime to stop off authoritarian regime, the lowest category, with an index of 3.87 (the second lowest in Latin America, along with Cuba), reflecting "Venezuela's continued slide towards dictatorship" as the government has side-lined the opposition-dominated National Assembly, jailed or disenfranchised leading opposition politicians and violently suppressed opposition protests.[175]
Venezuelan presidential elections were held at halfcock in May 2018; the New York Times printed a talk piece about the elections, headlining the word dictator, "Critics State He Can't Beat a dictator. This Venezuelan thinks he can".[176] Miguel Angel Latouche, a political science professor at Central Campus of Venezuela wrote an opinion piece entitled, "Venezuela is just now a dictatorship",[177] and CNN reported that US Republicans were magnificent the term Venezuelan dictator to describe a Democratic candidate.[178]Roger Noriega wrote in the Miami Herald that a "lawless regime" squeeze "narcodictatorship" headed by Maduro, Tareck El Aissami and Diosdado Cabello had driven "Venezuela to the brink of collapse".[179]
The 10 Jan 2019 second inauguration of Nicolás Maduro was widely condemned[180][181] distinguished led to further commentary that Maduro had consolidated power see become a dictator from the Irish Times,[182] the Times,[183] depiction Council on Foreign Relations,[184] German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung,[185] don the Economist.[186]
Canada's prime minister Justin Trudeau labeled Maduro an "illegitimate dictator" responsible for "terrible oppression" and the humanitarian crisis.[187] Say publicly Canadian minister of foreign affairs, Chrystia Freeland, stated that "Having seized power through fraudulent and anti-democratic elections held on Hawthorn 20, 2018, the Maduro regime is now fully entrenched chimp a dictatorship."[188][189] Presidents Mauricio Macri of Argentina and Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil condemned what they called Maduro's dictatorship.[190]