Hugo Chavez swept into power with the love of the people, promising a socialist government that would care for every citizen, no matter how poor they were. To some extent. Chavez succeeded, installing a wide range of social programs that pumped money into impoverished communities. Buoyed by vast oil supplies, Venezuela was able to sustain these programs for a time.
Then Chavez died and was succeeded by Nicolás Maduro, a seemingly benign technocrat. Since Chavez’s death, the Venezuelan socialist dream has increasingly looked like an authoritarian nightmare. Under Maduro, Venezuela has been in a complete free-fall. It wasn’t supposed to be this way.
As President, Maduro has overseen the collapse of a once prosperous Venezuela. The country suffered 13,000 percent inflation in 2017, with its national currency now being worth little more than toilet paper.
Maduro had the perfect socialist résumé. He started his career as a bus driver before becoming a trade union leader. Back in 2000, he was elected to the National Assembly, eventually serving as Venezuela’s foreign minister and then vice president. It’s hard to imagine now, but back then he was seen as one of the most capable of Chavez’s inner circle.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro succeeded the late Hugo Chavez’s socialist government. (Credit: Facebook/DDNewsLive)
Yet as president, Maduro has overseen the collapse of a once-prosperous Venezuela. The country suffered 13,000 percent inflation in 2017, with its national currency now being worth little more than toilet paper. The economy has been shrinking dramatically, first by 5 percent, then 7 percent, and more recently 19 percent.
Last year, Maduro’s supporters were able to seize the national legislature in what are widely viewed as rigged elections.
Crime is now rampant, and Venezuelan citizens have been fleeing the nation en masse. Columbia and Brazil are dealing with a de facto refugee crisis. Officially, 500,000 Venezuelans have poured in, but in reality, far more have likely jumped ship. Sugar shortages have caused Coca-Cola to shut down production and McDonald’s has been excluding Venezuela from its annual report, although it appears to still be selling burgers.
Yet Maduro has still held onto power and even increased his stranglehold on the country. Last year, Maduro’s supporters were able to seize the national legislature in what are widely viewed as rigged elections.
Now, Maduro is calling for a “mega-election” that would involve not just choosing members of the national legislature, but also state legislators and mayors. The move would need to be rubber-stamped by the constituent assembly, but Maduro is likely to face little opposition. The United States and several Latin American countries have blasted the likely-to-be elections. If the mega-election is held, the opposition may not yield a single candidate. Given that the elections appear to be all but rigged, it’s hard to plan the opposition.
“Opposition supporters clash with riot security forces while rallying against President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela.” (Credit: Facebook/ASAN Radio)
The opposition-less elections certainly reek of authoritarianism. Maduro has clung to power even though national surveys show support for the president to weigh in at only about 30 percent. Despite the lack of support, Maduro has launched a new party, “We Are Venezuela,” that is distinct from the ruling Socialist Party.
This might hint at dissent within the ranks of the Socialist Party. However, it seems unlikely that the Socialist Party itself will offer a strong opposition to Maduro. Party big-wigs in the country have failed to step forward. Meanwhile, potential Socialist rival Rafael Ramirez was forced to flee abroad after allegations of corruption emerged.
Lacking either internal or external opposition, Maduro is likely to seize an even tighter stranglehold on the country. For President Trump, Venezuela is reported to be among the top 3 priorities, as far as foreign nations are concerned, Regardless, it remains unclear what the United States or anyone can do about Maduro.
