Maduro begins controversial term in isolated Venezuela

Maduro begins controversial term in isolated Venezuela

Venezuelans experienced again what Nicolás Maduro did on Friday introduced into his office became. With the official sash hanging around his neck, he declared himself elected president despite irregularities and questions.

Maduro’s claims and attacks

In his inaugural speech, Maduro repeated his attacks on the United States and foreign leaders who do not recognize his return to power and vowed to repress anyone who opposes him. "I come from the people. The power I represent belongs to the people and I am committed to them," Maduro told his allies and supporters.

A feeling of déjà vu

For many Venezuelans, a feeling of déjà vu may have set in as Maduro enters his third six-year mandate took over after the controversial election on July 28th. The country's National Electoral Council, which oversees the election and is made up of Madurro's closest allies, declared him the winner without providing detailed evidence or data supporting his victory.

Opposition objects

The opposition rejected this claim and released tens of thousands of voting results from across the country to prove that their candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, actually won with 67% of the vote against Madurro's 30%. These results were confirmed by independent observers such as the Carter Center and the Colombian Election Mission, as well as analysis by CNN.

International pressure on Maduro

Several countries, including the United States, now have Gonzalez as Venezuela's legitimate president recognized and imposed new sanctions against Maduro and some electoral authorities in the country. Opposition leader María Corina Machado accused Maduro of committing a coup in a video on social media, saying his inauguration had “crossed the red line.” “Today Maduro has placed the presidential bracelet not on his chest, but like a shackle around his ankle that is tightening more and more every day,” she added.

Allegations of election fraud

This is not the first time that Maduro's election has been questioned. In fact, every presidential election in which he has been involved has been contested since he took office nearly 12 years ago. Maduro became president after the death of his predecessor and mentor Hugo Chavez President 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 chosen Maduro as his successor.

Crisis and repression

Despite this support, Maduro struggled in the polls, winning by a razor-thin margin of 1.49% against challenger Henrique Capriles. This was considered one of the closest election results in decades, and the opposition spoke of irregularities and fraud. Capriles, who had lost to Chávez six months earlier, called for a review of the votes by the National Electoral Council and challenged the results in the Supreme Court. However, both institutions were staffed by Chávez and Maduro supporters and the opposition's claims were discredited.

Economic and political crisis

When Maduro's second presidential election came around, Venezuela had fallen into a deep economic and political crisis. The former oil-rich country suffered from hyperinflation and severe economic problems. The picture was dominated by massive food shortages, widespread crime and millions of people who had left the country out of fear and desperation. Many opposition leaders, including Capriles, were barred from running, some were arrested on trumped-up charges or forced into exile.

Worldwide isolation and repression

Maduro was elected to his second term in 2018, in an election that the opposition and many international leaders called window dressing because of low voter turnout and an opposition boycott. Only 46% of the population took part in the election, the National Electoral Council said at the time, and Maduro was inaugurated in January 2019.

Massive protests erupted in the streets of Caracas and across the country questioning his legitimacy and calling for him to resign. These protests were brutally suppressed by the Maduro-supporting National Guard, police forces and militia groups, resulting in numerous deaths, injuries and arrests.

Return to power without support

However, with Maduro taking office again, he finds himself more internationally isolated than ever before. His induction ceremony lacked the usual pomp that usually accompanies such occasions. Cuba and Nicaragua were the only two countries whose presidents were present. Additionally, the ceremony took place in a small room in the National Assembly, rather than in the main hall of the building.

Resistance and sanctions

Protests also returned to the streets of Venezuela, and the country's growing diaspora held marches in Ecuador, Spain, Mexico and elsewhere. Biden administration officials recently met in Washington D.C. with González recognized by the US as the legitimate president of Venezuela. González, who is living in exile following terrorism allegations by the Maduro government, had promised to return to the country to challenge the inauguration, but the "conditions for his entry" had not been met. In a video message from the Dominican Republic, he said Maduro had staged a coup.

US response and outlook

“Maduro violated the constitution and the sovereign will of Venezuelans as expressed on July 28,” González said. “He staged a coup and crowned himself dictator.” US President Donald Trump issued a harsh warning against Maduro after reports that Machado was briefly kidnapped following a protest. The Maduro government denied any involvement. Shortly after the inauguration, the United States announced a $25 million reward for information that could lead to the arrest of Maduro and his closest associates, including Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello.

Washington also extended temporary protected status for eligible Venezuelan nationals for 18 months, which could benefit about 600,000 people in the United States. In the last decade, nearly 8 million Venezuelans have left the country, representing the second largest displacement in the world, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Venezuelans are preparing for another wave of repression after Madur's return. A Latin American diplomat recently told CNN that the mood in the country is “full of fear.” Maduro and his allies are showing that they will not tolerate dissent and people are scared,” said the diplomat, who spoke anonymously to avoid possible consequences.

The authoritarian leader may have successfully returned to Venezuela's highest office, but he may struggle to find international allies amid many doubts - both at home and abroad - about the legitimacy of his election.