Explore the life of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro through key personal and political milestones.
Personal Information: Nicolás Maduro
Birth Date: November 23, 1962
Birth Place: Caracas, Venezuela
Birth Name: Nicolás Maduro Moros
Father: Nicolás Maduro García
Mother: Teresa de Jesús Moros
Marriage: Cilia Flores
Children: Nicolás Jr.
Other Notable Facts:
I worked as a bus driver for Caracas Metro and was a member of the transit union. Advocated for Hugo Chavez’s release after the 1992 attempted coup to overthrow President Carlos Andres Perez. Played a key role in founding the political party Fifth Republic Movement with Chavez.
Timeline:
1999: Elected to the National Constituent Assembly.
2000: Elected to the National Assembly.
2005–2006: Served as Speaker of the National Assembly.
2006–2013: Served as foreign minister.
October 12, 2012: Chavez is selected as vice president.
December 9, 2012: Endorsed by Chavez as his successor.
March 8, 2013: Sworn in as interim president after Chavez’s death.
April 14, 2013: Wins presidential election amid controversy.
April 19, 2013: Officially sworn in as president.
September 30, 2013: Expels three US diplomats, accusing them of causing a power outage.
February 12, 2014: Ongoing student protests highlight social and economic issues.
February 20, 2014: Venezuela briefly revokes press credentials for CNN journalists.
February 21, 2014: Maduro calls for direct talks with US President Barack Obama.
January 15, 2016: Declares a state of economic emergency.
May 1, 2017: Signs an executive order to reshape the constitution and redefine executive powers.
May 13, 2016: Declares a constitutional state of emergency, expanding on the economic emergency declared in January.
Maduro’s political journey and controversial decisions have shaped Venezuela’s recent history. Stay informed about this influential figure’s evolving role on the global stage. Read more facts in Dilma Rousseff: Fast Facts
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro: Key Events and Controversies
Explore the significant events and controversies surrounding Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from 2016 to 2022.
October 30, 2016: Maduro engages in talks with political opponents for the first time in two years, signaling a rare attempt at dialogue.
July 30, 2017: Amid clashes, an election is held to replace the National Assembly with the National Constituent Assembly, leading to accusations of fraud. The US Treasury Department sanctions Maduro and restricts dealings with him.
January 24, 2018: Maduro announces his intention to run for reelection.
May 20, 2018: Maduro secures another six-year term in an election denounced by opposition leaders and the international community.
The Lima Group labels the vote illegitimate.
August 4, 2018: Drones armed with explosives target Maduro in an unsuccessful assassination attempt.
September 8, 2018: Reports surfaced about secret meetings between US officials and Venezuelan military officers planning a coup.
September 17, 2018: Maduro faces criticism for indulging in a lavish meal during a food crisis.
January 10, 2019: Maduro is sworn in for his second term, facing widespread international refusal to recognize his presidency.
January 23, 2019: Juan Guaido declares himself interim president, receiving recognition from the US.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro accuses the US of backing an attempted coup.
April 30, 2019: Maduro claims victory over a coup attempt, while the US disputes the narrative.
July 4, 2019: The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights publishes a critical report on the Maduro regime.
March 26, 2020: The US Justice Department charges Maduro with narco-terrorism and other crimes.
May 4, 2020: Maduro reports the capture of two American “mercenaries” involved in a failed coup attempt.
July 24, 2021: Maduro expresses readiness to negotiate with the Venezuelan opposition.
October 16, 2021: Venezuela suspends ongoing negotiations with the opposition following the extradition of a key financier to the US.
September 20, 2022: A UN report documents crimes against humanity, attributing orders to Maduro and high-level officials in the Venezuelan security forces.
This timeline reflects the complex and contentious political landscape in Venezuela under Nicolás Maduro’s leadership.
Is Venezuela a democracy or a dictatorship?
Venezuela operates under a presidential-government system. As of 2022, the Economist Intelligence Unit categorizes Venezuela as an “authoritarian regime.”
Furthermore, based on the V-Dem Democracy indices for 2023, Venezuela holds the position of the third least electorally democratic country in Latin America.
These assessments underscore the challenges and limitations within the democratic framework in Venezuela, reflecting concerns about the state of political freedoms and electoral processes in the country.
What is Venezuela most known for?
Venezuela is renowned for hosting Angel Falls (Kerepakupai Vená), recognized as the world’s tallest waterfall and a prominent tourist destination within the nation.
Additionally, Venezuela boasts the distinction of possessing the world’s largest oil reserves. However, despite this vast resource wealth, the majority of the population has not experienced commensurate prosperity.
The country’s association with Angel Falls and its significant oil reserves are key aspects of its global recognition.