Nicolás Maduro is set to commence his third six-year term as Venezuela's president on January 10th, amidst significant controversy surrounding the legitimacy of the July 28th, 2024 election. The inauguration, hosted by the ruling party's congress, faces widespread international and domestic skepticism due to concerns about the fairness of the electoral process.
While Maduro declared victory by over a million votes, opposition candidate Edmundo González is widely considered the true winner by a substantial margin. The U.S.-based Carter Center, invited by Maduro's government to observe the election, has validated the opposition's published tally sheets.
This contested inauguration allows Maduro to solidify policies in a nation grappling with cronyism, inflation, and food insecurity throughout his 11-year rule.
Opposition leaders Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo González, along with President Nicolas Maduro, are pictured alongside protests against the recent election results. (Getty Images)
Planned opposition protests before the inauguration face potential suppression due to the government's harsh post-election crackdown, which has resulted in over 2,000 arrests. María Corina Machado, a key opposition figure, is attempting to re-emerge publicly after months in hiding to challenge Maduro's inauguration.
González, recognized by the United States as the legitimate president-elect, sought refuge in Spain after a warrant for his arrest was issued. He has since resurfaced and embarked on an international tour to garner support for Venezuela's opposition, including a meeting with President Biden described as "long, fruitful, and cordial." He is also engaging with President-elect Trump. This comes shortly after Venezuelan authorities announced a $100,000 reward for information leading to González’s arrest.
Demonstrators clashed with police in Caracas on July 29, 2024, protesting against President Maduro a day after the election. (Federico Parra/AFP via Getty Images)
Maduro's third term coincides with a second Trump administration, raising questions about the president-elect's approach to Venezuela. Despite past tensions, Maduro has congratulated Trump on his re-election and suggested a relationship built on "respect, common sense dialogue, and understanding." Some analysts doubt Trump will reinstate his previous "maximum pressure" strategy, particularly given his focus on reducing migration, with an estimated 7.7 million Venezuelans having left the country since 2014.
Maduro commemorates the anniversary of Hugo Chavez's return to power in Caracas, Venezuela, on April 13, 2024. (Reuters/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/File Photo)
In recent months, Maduro's regime has detained several foreigners, including U.S. citizens, on charges such as espionage or terrorism, potentially as leverage with the incoming Trump administration.
