Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was sworn in for a third term on Friday, despite a six-month-long election dispute, international calls for him to stand aside and an increase in the U.S. reward offered for his capture.
Maduro, president since 2013, was declared the winner of July’s election by both Venezuela’s electoral authority and top court, though detailed tallies confirming his victory have never been published. Venezuela’s opposition says ballot box-level tallies show a landslide win for its former candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, who is recognized as president-elect by several countries including the United States. International election observers said the vote was not democratic.
The months since the election have seen Gonzalez’s flight to Spain in September, his ally Maria Corina Machado going into hiding in Venezuela, and the detentions of high-profile opposition figures and protesters.
In the latest in a series of punitive steps, the outgoing Biden administration increased its reward for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Maduro on drug trafficking charges to $25 million, from a previous $15 million. It also issued a $25 million reward for Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and a $15 million reward for Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, as well as new sanctions against eight other officials including the head of state oil company PDVSA Hector Obregon.
The U.S. move coincided with sanctions by Britain and the European Union each targeting 15 officials, including members of the National Electoral Council and the security forces, and Canadian sanctions targeting 14 current and former officials.
The Maduro government has always rejected all sanctions, saying they are illegitimate measures that amount to an "economic war" designed to cripple Venezuela. "The outgoing government of the United States doesn’t know how to take revenge on us," Maduro said during his inauguration speech, without directly mentioning sanctions.
Maduro and his allies have cheered what they say is the country’s resilience despite the measures, though they have historically blamed some economic hardships and shortages on sanctions. Gonzalez, who has been on a whistle-stop tour of the Americas this week, has said he will return to Venezuela to take up the mantle of president, but has given no details.
The government, which has accused the opposition of fomenting fascist plots against it, has said Gonzalez will be arrested if he returns and offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to his capture.
Opposition leaders Gonzalez and Machado are each expected to speak later on Friday. Both are being investigated by the attorney general’s office for alleged conspiracy, but only Gonzalez has a public warrant out for his arrest. Machado’s first public appearance since August at an anti-government march in Caracas on Thursday was marred by a brief detention.
Maduro was sworn in at the national assembly in Caracas and said he was taking his oath in the name of sixteenth-century Indigenous leader Guaicaipuro and late President Hugo Chavez, his mentor, among others.
Conclusion
The situation in Venezuela remains volatile, with the opposition and government engaged in a bitter struggle for power. The international community has expressed concerns about the legitimacy of Maduro’s government and the human rights situation in the country.
FAQs
Q: What is the current situation in Venezuela?
A: The country is experiencing a deep economic and social crisis, with widespread shortages and inflation.
Q: Who is the current president of Venezuela?
A: Nicolas Maduro has been sworn in for a third term as president, despite a disputed election and international criticism.
Q: What is the situation with the opposition?
A: The opposition has been subjected to repression and detention, with many leaders and activists facing charges of conspiracy and other crimes.
Q: What is the international community saying about the situation in Venezuela?
A: Many countries, including the United States, Canada, and European Union members, have expressed concerns about the legitimacy of Maduro’s government and the human rights situation in the country.
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