20 facts about Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela

1. Full Name: Nicolás Maduro Moros.

2. Born: November 23, 1962, in Caracas, Venezuela.

3. Background: Maduro was raised in a working-class family and began his career as a bus driver for the Caracas Metro system.

4. Union Leader: He became involved in trade union activities, rising to prominence as a union leader representing transport workers.

5. Political Affiliation: A member of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), a party founded by Hugo Chávez, Maduro has long been aligned with Chávez’s political ideology, known as Chavismo, which promotes socialism and anti-imperialism.

6. Minister of Foreign Affairs: He served as Venezuela’s Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2006 to 2013, during which he worked to strengthen Venezuela’s ties with countries like China, Russia, and Cuba, and took a strong anti-U.S. stance.

7. Vice President: Maduro was appointed Vice President of Venezuela in October 2012 by Hugo Chávez, just months before Chávez’s death.

8. Presidency: Following Chávez’s death in March 2013, Maduro became interim president and later won the presidential election in April 2013. He was re-elected in 2018, although the election was widely regarded as fraudulent by opposition parties and international observers.

9. Economic Collapse: Maduro’s presidency has coincided with a severe economic collapse, largely due to mismanagement, the fall in oil prices (Venezuela’s main export), and international sanctions. The country has experienced hyperinflation, massive shortages of food and medicine, and a significant decline in living standards.

10. Humanitarian Crisis: The economic crisis has caused more than 7 million Venezuelans to flee the country, creating one of the largest mass migrations in Latin American history.

11. Political Repression: Maduro’s government has been accused of authoritarianism, including the use of military and police forces to suppress opposition protests, imprisoning political opponents, and restricting freedom of speech and press. His government has also been accused of human rights abuses.

12. International Dispute: Maduro’s legitimacy as president has been questioned by many countries, particularly after the 2018 election. In January 2019, opposition leader Juan Guaidó declared himself interim president, claiming that Maduro’s re-election was illegitimate. While Guaidó received support from over 50 countries, including the U.S. and most European and Latin American nations, Maduro has retained control of the military and the government.

13. Support from Allies: Despite international pressure, Maduro has maintained support from key allies, including Russia, China, Iran, and Cuba, who continue to engage in trade and provide economic and military assistance to his government.

14. Sanctions: Maduro and his government have been hit with numerous international sanctions, particularly by the U.S., Canada, and the European Union, in response to corruption, drug trafficking, and undermining democracy.

15. Dialogue with Opposition: Maduro’s government has participated in several rounds of dialogue with opposition parties, though these efforts have generally failed to resolve the political crisis or lead to substantial reforms.

16. U.S. Relations: Under Maduro, Venezuela’s relationship with the U.S. has deteriorated significantly. His government has accused the U.S. of orchestrating coup attempts, while the U.S. has imposed heavy sanctions on Venezuelan officials and the country’s oil industry.

17. Social Programs: Despite the economic crisis, Maduro continues to promote social programs initiated by Chávez, including food distribution networks and housing projects aimed at supporting Venezuela’s poor.

18. Military Support: A key factor in Maduro’s ability to retain power has been his strong support from the Venezuelan military. He has consolidated power by placing military officials in top government and economic positions.

19. Personal Life: Maduro is married to Cilia Flores, a prominent Venezuelan politician who has also held several important government positions, including President of the National Assembly.

20. Influence of Cuba: Maduro’s government has strong ties with Cuba, with reports suggesting that Cuban intelligence services play a significant role in advising Maduro’s administration on matters of state security and political strategy.

Maduro remains a polarizing figure, supported by some for continuing Chávez’s socialist policies but widely criticized for presiding over Venezuela’s economic and political collapse.