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PoliticsVenezuela

Maduro - The Indestructible

October 9, 2024

Nicolás Maduro has been president of Venezuela since 2013. He rules the country, which faces grave political and economic problems, with an iron fist.

https://p.dw.com/p/4kJNi
Maduro - The Indestructible
Nicolás MaduroImage: Java

Despite massive criticism from home and abroad, Maduro is clinging to power. Successfully, so far.

Maduro - The Indestructible
Hugo ChávezImage: dapd

Venezuela experienced many dramatic events in recent decades. There was the "Bolivarian Revolution" started by Hugo Chávez, who was elected president in 1998 and introduced a socialist system to the country. There were also attempted coups, violent protests, and severe economic crises — despite the fact that Venezuela has the largest oil reserves in the world.

Maduro - The Indestructible
Image: Java

After the illness and death of Hugo Chávez in 2013, Nicolás Maduro succeeded as president. The former bus driver and socialist set himself the goal of continuing Venezuela's socialist revolution, at any cost. 

Maduro - The Indestructible
Image: Java

His rule has been authoritarian. Corruption within Venezuela's state elite and mismanagement are widespread. Years of poor economic decisions have driven the country to ruin under Maduro's presidency. Millions of people in Venezuela are impoverished, and many have fled to neighboring countries. 

Maduro - The Indestructible
Maduro relies on fear against the opposition.Image: Java

Yet despite opposition attempts to force him out, Maduro has survived. He was declared the winner in Venezuela’s 2024 presidential elections in July - this, although the parliament had tried to remove him from office in 2017 already. People took to the streets to demand his resignation back then and this year again. 

Maduro - The Indestructible
Venezuela has more oil than any other nation in the world, 300 billion barrels, as much as Iran and Iraq combined.Image: Java

However, none of this seems to have affected Maduro - and following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the resulting rift between Russia and North America and Europe, the international geopolitical situation has changed. The world is more desperate for oil than ever; and a vast quantity of oil is lying dormant underground in Venezuela. This "black gold” could turn a man considered a pariah of the international community into a desirable partner once again.
 

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