Nicolás Maduro was sworn in for a third 6-year term as Venezuela’s president on Friday, despite widespread allegations of electoral fraud and near-universal rejection from neighbouring states and Western powers. The subdued ceremony, held in a small room of the National Assembly in Caracas, starkly contrasted with his previous terms’ grand inaugurations. With limited attendance and growing international isolation, the event reflected Maduro’s shrinking circle of allies. While his supporters celebrated, the muted atmosphere symbolised the deepening divide between Maduro’s regime and the broader global community.
Cuba’s Miguel Díaz-Canel and Nicaragua’s Daniel Ortega were the only heads of state to attend the swearing-in, underscoring the waning support for Maduro even among Latin America’s left-leaning governments. These long-term allies of Chavismo stood in sharp contrast to the broader regional condemnation. Leaders across the ideological spectrum, from the progressive Gabriel Boric of Chile and Luiz Inácio “Lula” da Silva of Brazil to right-wing figures like Javier Milei of Argentina and Santiago Peña of Paraguay, have united in rejecting Maduro’s rule and the 2024 election due to its undemocratic and repressive nature.
The controversies surrounding Venezuela’s 2024 summer elections are far from unprecedented, reflecting a pattern that has defined Nicolás Maduro’s tenure. Allegations of voter suppression, irregularities, and the absence of credible international monitors similarly plagued the 2018 elections. These flaws prompted dozens of countries to reject the results and recognise opposition leader Juan Guaidó as interim president. Despite this, Maduro retained power by leveraging control over the military, judiciary, and electoral council to silence opposition and maintain his grip on the country.
The 2024 election followed a similar script. Independent observers deemed opposition candidate Edmundo González’s claim of victory, with 67% of the vote, as credible. Yet, Maduro’s electoral council declared him the winner with 51.95%, refusing to release detailed vote tallies or permit an independent audit. This blatant manipulation has only deepened mistrust among Venezuelans and the international community. For many, the 2024 election was not an isolated incident but part of a broader strategy by Maduro to cling to power by disregarding democratic norms and suppressing dissent.
Maduro’s crackdown on opposition forces has become a hallmark of his authoritarian rule, targeting high-profile leaders, activists, and ordinary citizens alike. His regime has fostered an environment of fear and repression, where dissent is met with arrests, violence, and intimidation. One of the most significant recent incidents was the temporary detention of opposition leader María Corina Machado. After months in hiding, Machado emerged to lead protests against Maduro in the days before his inauguration. Her arrest was marred by reports of coercion, including forced recordings of videos and an attack on her vehicle. Though she was later released, the regime’s message was clear: opposition figures would face severe consequences for challenging Maduro’s rule.
Similarly, Edmundo González, Maduro’s main rival in the 2024 election and widely recognised as Venezuela’s rightful president by the international community, was forced into exile. Fearing for his safety, González fled to Madrid, leaving Venezuela’s opposition fractured and struggling to maintain momentum. Many other opposition figures remain in exile or face constant surveillance, arbitrary arrests, and harassment, making it increasingly difficult to mobilise resistance.
Beyond prominent leaders, Maduro’s government has intensified its repression of grassroots movements. Activists and protesters are frequently detained under harsh conditions, with reports of torture and inhumane treatment. Families of opposition members are also targeted, with kidnappings and threats used to stoke fear and discourage dissent. This widespread crackdown has left Venezuela’s opposition fragmented, but figures like Machado and González continue to call for resistance, urging Venezuelans to reject the regime’s narrative and demand change.
In response to the contested election and Maduro’s authoritarian tactics, Latin America has largely turned its back on him. Leaders across the region have rejected his legitimacy, creating a rare moment of unity that spans ideological divides. Chile’s socialist president, Gabriel Boric, labelled Maduro’s government a dictatorship, while Argentina’s anarcho-capitalist leader, Javier Milei, echoed that sentiment, describing Venezuela under Maduro as a “hell on earth.”
Colombia’s Gustavo Petro, initially seen as a potential ally for Maduro, has also joined the growing chorus of condemnation. His administration refused to recognise the results of the July 2024 election, due to human rights abuses and systemic repression. Even Brazil’s Lula da Silva, once a key supporter of Maduro, has distanced himself, with relations souring over geopolitical disagreements and the handling of the Venezuelan crisis.
The Western response has been equally critical. The United States, European Union, United Kingdom, and Canada imposed fresh sanctions targeting senior officials in Maduro’s government for their roles in election fraud and human rights abuses. The G7 issued a unified statement rejecting Maduro’s presidency, condemning his repressive tactics, and labelling the inauguration illegitimate. These actions highlight the growing consensus against Maduro’s regime and its disregard for democratic principles.
Amid mounting regional rejection and Western condemnation, Nicolás Maduro’s reliance on Russia has become increasingly evident. As many Latin American and international leaders turned their backs on his inauguration, Russia’s Head of the State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin, attended as a prominent representative, signalling Moscow’s continued support for the embattled leader. For Maduro, this alliance with Russia is critical. It provides diplomatic shielding, economic cooperation, and a veneer of legitimacy as he faces global isolation. For Russia, the relationship with Venezuela is strategically important, offering a foothold in Latin America and a counterbalance to U.S. influence in the region. However, Maduro’s growing dependence on Moscow highlights the precariousness of his position and his inability to secure widespread regional or global support.
Standing on the balcony of the presidential palace, Maduro delivered a fiery speech to his supporters, framing his presidency as a stand against foreign interference. “Let’s get them!” he roared, urging followers to report opposition figures. “Report the fascist criminals to me so I can go find them! I will protect the people street by street, neighbourhood by neighbourhood.” Maduro also targeted international critics, declaring, “Today more than ever I feel the weight of commitment, the power that I represent, the power that the constitution grants me. I have not been made president by the government of the United States nor by the pro-imperialist governments of Latin America.” This rhetoric, while aimed at rallying his supporters, only deepened his international isolation and strained his already fragile legitimacy on the global stage.
For ordinary Venezuelans, Maduro’s inauguration brings little hope for relief from the country’s worsening crises. Years of economic mismanagement, corruption, and international sanctions have devastated the economy. Hyperinflation has rendered the bolívar nearly worthless, while shortages of food, medicine, and electricity persist. Over 7.7 million Venezuelans have fled, creating one of the largest migration crises in modern history. Caracas was eerily quiet on inauguration day, with many residents expressing despair about the future. Businesses remained closed, schools were suspended, and streets were largely empty. For those who remain, Maduro’s presidency symbolizes stagnation, with little sign of progress on the horizon.
Nicolás Maduro’s new term solidifies his control over Venezuela but leaves the nation deeply isolated. The overwhelming regional rejection and Western condemnation highlight the fragile state of his regime, while economic collapse and political repression fuel widespread despair. The opposition, though fragmented and under siege, continues to fight for democracy, urging international allies to maintain pressure on Maduro’s regime. For millions of Venezuelans, the question remains whether their country can endure another 6 years under Maduro or if change will finally emerge from the growing resistance. The stakes for Venezuela’s future have never been higher.
