Maduro begins controversial term in isolated Venezuela

Maduro begins controversial term in isolated Venezuela

The Venezolans experienced again, such as Nicolás Maduro on Friday introduced . Hangled with the office tirpe, he declared himself to be president despite irregularities and questions about his election.

Maduro’s claims and attacks

In his inaugural speech, Maduro repeated his attacks on the United States and foreign guides, who did not recognize his return to power, and promised to suppress everyone who opposes him. "I come from the people. The power that I represent is to the people and I am committed to him," said Maduro to his allies and supporters.

a feeling of déjà-vu

For many Venezoleers, a feeling of déjà-vu is likely to have set up when Maduro his third six-year mandate took over after the controversial election on July 28th. The state's national board of elections, which supervises the election and consists of Madurro's closest allies, declared him the winner without presenting detailed evidence or data that prove his victory.

opposition levies

The opposition rejected this claim and published tens of thousands of voting results from all over the country, which should show that their candidate, Edmundo González , with 67 % of the votes against Madurros 30 %. These results were confirmed by independent observers, such as the Carter Center and the Colombian election mission

international pressure on Maduro

Several countries, including the United States, have meanwhile González as Venezuelas legitimate president recognized and new sanctions against Maduro and some electoral authorities in the country. The opposition leader María Corina Machado accused Maduro in a video on social media, to have committed a coup d'état and explained that with his inauguration "the red line had been exceeded". "Today Maduro did not put the presidential ribbon on his chest, but like a bond around his ankle, which contracts more every day," she added.

allegations of the fake of elections

This is not the first time that Maduro's choice is questioned. In fact, every presidential election in which he was involved has been contested since he took office almost 12 years ago. After the death of his predecessor and mentors hugo chávez in March 2013. The charismatic populist, who, despite his 15-year rule as an anti-establishment leader, transformed the country in the socialist Bolivarian revolution, had selected Maduro as his successor.

crisis and repression

Despite this support, Maduro had to fight with difficulties in the surveys and only won against his challenger Henrique Capriles with a very thin lead of 1.49 %. This was considered one of the closest election results for decades, and the opposition spoke of irregularities and fraud. Capriles, who had lost to Chávez six months earlier, requested a review of the votes by the national electoral council and fought the results at the Supreme Court. However, both institutions were occupied by Chávez and Maduro supporters and the claims of the opposition were discredited.

economic and political crisis

Approximately the second presidential election, Venezuela had fallen into a deep economic and political crisis. The formerly oil -rich country suffered from hyperinflation and severe economic problems. Massive food bottlenecks, widespread crime and millions of people who had left the country out of fear and despair shaped the picture. Many opposition leaders, including Capriles, were excluded from the candidacy, some were arrested for constructed charges or forced into exile.

worldwide isolation and repression

Maduro was chosen for his second term in 2018, in an election that was described by the opposition and many international leaders as eyewashing, since the turnout was low and there was a boycott of the opposition. Only 46 % of the population took part in the election, the National Election Council said at the time, and Maduro was introduced to his office in January 2019.

massive protests broke out in the streets of Caracas and across the country, which questioned its legitimacy and asked him to resign. These protests were brutally depressed by the Maduro-supporting national guard, police forces and militia groups, which led to numerous deaths, injuries and arrests.

return to power without support

with Maduro's re -office takeover, however, he sees himself more isolated internationally than ever. His introductory ceremony was missing the usual splendor, which usually goes hand in hand with such occasions. Cuba and Nicaragua were the only two countries whose president were present. In addition, the ceremony took place in a small room of the National Assembly instead of in the main hall of the building.

resistance and sanctions

protests also returned to the streets of Venezuela, and the country's growing diaspora organized marches in Ecuador, Spain, Mexico and other locations. Officials from the bid administration recently met in Washington D.C. with González, who is recognized by the United States as the rightful President of Venezuela. González, who lives in exile according to the Maduro government's allegations of terrorism, had promised to return to the country to challenge the inauguration, but the "conditions for his entry" were not fulfilled. In a video message from the Dominican Republic, he said Maduro staged a coup

US reaction and outlook

“Maduro violated the constitution and the sovereign will of the Venezuelans, as he was expressed on July 28," said González. "He carried out a coup d'état and crowned himself as a dictator." US President Donald Trump gave a tough warning against Maduro after reports on a short-term kidnapping of Machados were reported after a protest. The Maduro government contested any participation. Shortly after the inauguration, the United States announced a reward of $ 25 million for information that could lead to the arrest of Maduro and its closest confidants, including Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello.

Washington also extended the temporary protection status for justified Venezuelan citizens by 18 months, of which around 600,000 people in the United States could benefit. In the past ten years, almost 8 million Venezuelans have left the country, which represents the second largest displacement in the world, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The Venezuelans are preparing for another wave of repression to Madurs Return. A Latin American said recently to cnn, the atmosphere was in the country “Full of fear”. Maduro and his allies show that they will not tolerate a contradiction, and people are frightened, ”said the diplomat, who spoke anonymously to avoid possible consequences.

The authoritarian leader may have successfully returned to the highest office of Venezuela, but in view of the many doubts - both in Germany and abroad - he could find difficulties in the legitimacy of his choice.

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