The Citgo Six is the name by which six senior executives of Citgo , detained in Venezuela, are known. Citgo is a subsidiary of the state-owned oil company Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA).
133-627: The executives were arrested on November 21, 2017 and accused of signing an agreement that was "unfavorable" for the Venezuelan subsidiary. The executives denied the charges against them and stated that they were victims of a political move by the Venezuelan Maduro -led government to pressure the United States government. They were granted house arrest in December 2019, but were sent back to jail on
266-470: A constitutional crisis and another wave of protests in 2017 . As a response to the protests, Maduro called for a rewrite of the constitution, and the Constituent Assembly of Venezuela was elected in 2017 under voting conditions that many concluded were irregular. On 20 May 2018, presidential elections were held; President Maduro was sworn in on 10 January 2019 with widespread condemnation, and
399-675: A political crisis . The opposition gathered vote tallies that showed their candidate, Edmundo González , had won the most votes. Maduro heads an authoritarian government, and has been described as an autocrat and a dictator . Between 2013 and 2023, Venezuela dropped 42 places in the Press Freedom Index . According to estimations by the United Nations (UN) and Human Rights Watch , under Maduro's administration, more than 20,000 people have been subject to extrajudicial killings and seven million Venezuelans have been forced to flee
532-614: A " mole " working for the Cuba's Dirección de Inteligencia to approach Hugo Chávez, who was experiencing a burgeoning military career. In the early 1990s, he joined MBR-200 and campaigned for the release of Chávez when he was jailed for his role in the 1992 Venezuelan coup d'état attempts . In the late 1990s, Maduro was instrumental in founding the Movement of the Fifth Republic , which supported Chávez in his run for president in 1998. Maduro
665-456: A "biometric card" called Tarjeta de Abastecimiento Seguro, that required the user's fingerprint for purchases in state-run supermarkets or participating businesses. The device was allegedly meant to combat smuggling and price speculation. It was described as being both like a loyalty program and a ration card. In May 2014, months after the card was introduced, it was reported that 503,000 Venezuelans had registered for it. In August 2014, it
798-550: A "humanitarian corridor" to welcome Venezuelans. Around the same time in July 2016, reports of desperate Venezuelans rummaging through garbage for food appeared. By early 2017, priests began telling Venezuelans to label their garbage so needy individuals could feed on their refuse. In March 2017, despite having the largest oil reserves in the world, some regions of Venezuela began having shortages of gasoline with reports that fuel imports had begun. The government continued to deny there
931-538: A 15-foot mural in Georgetown (Washington, D.C.) along with those of other Americans wrongfully detained abroad. On October 1, 2022 the remaining five members of the Citgo Six were released following a prisoner exchange . On December 27, 2023 the Citgo Six were honored by Sylvester Turner for being exemplary members of the business community, for their moral, ethic and family values. The mayor’s proclamation also honored
1064-523: A 2013 interview that "my grandparents were Jewish, from a Sephardic Moorish background, and converted to Catholicism in Venezuela". Maduro has been married twice. His first marriage was to Adriana Guerra Angulo, with whom he had his only son, Nicolás Maduro Guerra , also known as "Nicolasito", who was appointed to several senior government posts (Chief of the Presidency's Special Inspectors Body, head of
1197-567: A Czech national carrying sniper rifles and other munitions to allegedly assassinate Maduro. In a public statement, the Minister of Interior, Justice and Peace , Diosdado Cabello held the CIA and Spanish intelligence responsible for the coup attempt, calling it 'not surprising'. The minister shared that they had arrested yet another US military active-duty member, Wilber Joseph Castañeda, with evidence from his cellphone linking him to terrorist attacks during
1330-497: A May 2016 petition to the National Electoral Council (CNE) calling for a recall referendum, with the populace to vote on whether to remove Maduro from office. On 5 July 2016, the Venezuelan intelligence service detained five opposition activists involved with the recall referendum, with two other activists of the same party, Popular Will , also arrested. After delays in verification of the signatures, protestors alleged
1463-465: A contract with him for US$ 213 million in October 2019. Eight of the attackers were killed, with another thirteen, including two Americans, captured. On 6 March 2014, marking the 1 year anniversary of Hugo Chavez's death , Maduro announced on live television that he was breaking diplomatic and commercial relations with Panama after the country's president Ricardo Martinelli expressed support for
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#17330846252271596-434: A currency black market developed since Venezuelan merchants relied on the import of goods that required payments with reliable foreign currencies. As Venezuela printed more money for their social programs, the bolívar continued to devalue for Venezuelan citizens and merchants since the government held most of the more reliable currencies. Because merchants could purchase only limited amounts of necessary foreign currency from
1729-512: A decline in Maduro's popularity. An opposition-led National Assembly was elected in 2015 and a movement toward recalling Maduro began in 2016, which was ultimately cancelled by Maduro's government; Maduro maintained power through the Supreme Tribunal , the National Electoral Council (CNE) and the military . The Supreme Tribunal removed power from the elected National Assembly, resulting in
1862-466: A decline in Venezuela's socioeconomic status, with crime, inflation, poverty and hunger increasing; analysts have attributed Venezuela's decline to both Chávez and Maduro's economic policies, while Maduro has blamed speculation and economic warfare waged by his political opponents. A 2018 Amnesty International report "accused Nicolas Maduro's government of committing some of the worst human rights violations in Venezuela's history". The report found
1995-480: A humanitarian crisis". As a result, international intervention in Venezuela would not be justified. She also described statements by Venezuelans calling for international assistance as " treasonous ". Economists state the Venezuelan government began rationing in 2014 for several reasons including an unproductive domestic industry that had been negatively affected by nationalization and government intervention, and confusing currency controls that made it unable to provide
2128-509: A joint statement on Venezuela, declaring that much of its population was starving and going without in a situation that they do not believe will end. A year later in 2019, the Maduro administration relaxed the nation's strict currency exchange regulations and shortages subsided in Venezuela while the economy became unofficially dollarized . Since the 1990s, food production in Venezuela has dropped continuously, with Hugo Chávez 's Bolivarian government beginning to rely upon imported food using
2261-418: A large majority (nearly 100%) voted in favour of Venezuela's claims, though it had a low turnout. Maduro has faced numerous attempts at his life during his presidency. In the 2018 Caracas drone attack incident, while giving a speech to rally, Maduro was targeted by two drones that exploded during a speech. In September 2024, the Venezuelan police captured and arrested three Americans, two Spaniards, and
2394-573: A multilateral meeting between over a dozen European and Latin American countries, United States Department of the Treasury officials stated that they had collaborated with Colombian officials to investigate corrupt import programs of the Maduro administration including CLAP. They explained that Venezuelan officials pocketed 70% of the proceeds allocated for importation programs destined to alleviate hunger in Venezuela. Treasury officials said they sought to seize
2527-408: A new presidential election be called to replace him, Venezuelans should vote for Maduro to succeed him. This was the first time that Chávez named a potential successor to his movement, as well as the first time he publicly acknowledged the possibility of his death. Chávez's endorsement of Maduro sidelined Diosdado Cabello , a former vice president and powerful Socialist Party official with ties to
2660-422: A particular focus of these tactics. One said that government officials were posing as doctors to make these house calls before elections; 'We, the doctors, were asked to give our extra robes to people. The fake doctors were even giving out medicines, without knowing what they were or how to use them," he said. In an interview with President Maduro by The Guardian , it was noted that a "significant proportion" of
2793-495: A recall would not occur until 2017, ensuring the current vice president would potentially come to power. In May 2017, Maduro proposed the 2017 Venezuelan Constituent Assembly election , which was later held on 30 July 2017 despite wide international condemnation. The United States sanctioned Maduro following the election, labeling him as a "dictator", preventing him from entering the United States. Other nations, such as China, Russia, and Cuba offered their support to Maduro and
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#17330846252272926-497: A security checkpoint at JFK International Airport , and security personnel told Maduro that he was prohibited from doing so. Maduro later identified himself as a diplomat from the Venezuelan government, but officials still escorted him to a room for conducting secondary screening. At one point, authorities ordered Maduro and other Venezuelan officials to spread their arms and legs and be frisked, but Maduro and others forcefully refused. His diplomatic passport and ticket were retained for
3059-447: A system of deliberate political manipulation"; their services as medical professionals "were wielded to secure votes for the governing Socialist Party, often through coercion", they told The New York Times . Facing a shortage of supplies and medicine, they were instructed to withhold treatment–even for emergencies–so supplies and treatment could be "doled out closer to the election, part of a national strategy to compel patients to vote for
3192-511: A time, and finally given back to him. Speaking at the Venezuelan mission to the UN after his release, Maduro said his detention by the US authorities was illegal and he filed a complaint at the United Nations. US and UN officials called the incident regrettable but said Maduro had been identified for "secondary screening". Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke denied that Maduro was mistreated, saying that there
3325-486: A year; residents of the town of 120,000 said that water trucks come by infrequently, sometimes only to supply government supporters. Following increased international sanctions throughout 2019 during the Venezuelan presidential crisis , the Maduro government relaxed some socialist policies established by Chávez, such as price and currency controls, which resulted in the country seeing a rebound from economic decline. After
3458-469: Is a Venezuelan politician serving as the 53rd president of Venezuela since 2013. Previously, he was the 24th vice president of Venezuela from 2012 to 2013, the minister of foreign affairs from 2006 to 2012, and the 3rd president of the National Assembly of Venezuela from 2005 to 2006. Beginning his working life as a bus driver, Maduro rose to become a trade union leader before being elected to
3591-424: Is exacerbating social unrest". Luisa Ortega Díaz , Chief Prosecutor of Venezuela from 2007 to 2017 revealed that President Maduro had profited from the food crisis. CLAP made contracts with Group Grand Limited, a Mexican entity owned by Maduro through frontmen Rodolfo Reyes, Álvaro Uguedo Vargas and Alex Saab. Group Grand Limited would sell foodstuffs to CLAP and receive government funds. On 19 April 2018, after
3724-642: Is not covered completely. In 2018, a Board of Independent Experts designated by the Organization of American States (OAS) alleged that crimes against humanity have been committed in Venezuela during Maduro's presidency. In 2021, the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced the opening of an investigation regarding the situation in the country . Nicolás Maduro Moros
3857-485: Is not recognized by most of Venezuela's neighbors. Shortages in Venezuela Shortages in Venezuela of food staples and basic necessities occurred throughout Venezuela's history. Scarcity became more widespread following the enactment of price controls and other policies under the government of Hugo Chávez and exacerbated by the policy of withholding United States dollars from importers under
3990-527: The 2008–09 Gaza War , recognizing and establishing diplomatic relations with the State of Palestine , a turnaround in relations with Colombia in 2008 (with Ecuador) and again in 2010 , recognizing Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states, and support for Bashar al-Assad during the Syrian Civil War . Temir Porras, a 2019 visiting professor at Paris Institute of Political Studies who
4123-435: The 2024 Venezuelan presidential election . With widespread condemnation, President Maduro was sworn in on 10 January 2019. Minutes after he took the oath, the Organization of American States (OAS) approved a resolution declaring his presidency illegitimate, and calling for new elections. The National Assembly invoked a state of emergency , and some nations removed their embassies from Venezuela, with Colombia, and
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4256-557: The Central Bank of Venezuela . Common shortages in Venezuela started as early as 2008 in government-run food networks, such as Mercal and PDVAL . In January 2008, 24.7% of goods were reported to be unavailable in Venezuela, with the scarcity of goods remaining high until May 2008, when there was a shortage of 16.3% of goods. However, shortages increased again in January 2012 to nearly the same rate as in 2008. Following Chávez's death and
4389-586: The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and smugglers for shortages, stating that an "economic war" had been declared on Venezuela. During the presidency of Chávez, Venezuela faced occasional shortages owing to high inflation and government financial inefficiencies. In 2005, Chávez announced the initiation of Venezuela's own "great leap forward", following the example of Mao Zedong 's Great Leap Forward . An increase in shortages began to occur that year as 5% of items became unavailable according to
4522-548: The European Union , denied a "humanitarian crisis". Instead he stated there was simply "a decrease in the availability of food", saying an "economic war" had affected "the availability of food, but we are still within the thresholds set by the UN". In an Al Jazeera interview with president of the Constituent Assembly Delcy Rodríguez , she stated, "I have denied and continue denying that Venezuela has
4655-487: The Lima Group do not recognize Maduro as the legitimate president of Venezuela. The Supreme Tribunal rejected the National Assembly decisions, while the Supreme Tribunal of Justice of Venezuela in exile welcomed Guaidó as interim president. The United States Department of State issued a communication stating that Maduro had used unconstitutional means and a "sham electoral system" to maintain an unlawful presidency that
4788-459: The National Assembly in 2000. He was appointed to a number of positions under President Hugo Chávez , serving as President of the National Assembly from 2005 to 2006, as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2006 to 2012 and as the vice president from 2012 to 2013 under Chávez. After Chávez's death was announced on 5 March 2013, Maduro assumed the presidency. A special presidential election
4921-433: The armed forces , who had been widely considered a top candidate to be Chávez's successor. After Maduro was endorsed by Chávez, Cabello "immediately pledged loyalty" to both men. My firm opinion, as clear as the full moon – irrevocable, absolute, total – is ... that you elect Nicolas Maduro as President. I ask this of you from my heart. He is one of the young leaders with the greatest ability to continue, if I cannot. Upon
5054-530: The death of Hugo Chávez on 5 March 2013, Maduro assumed the powers and responsibilities of the president. He appointed Jorge Arreaza to take his place as vice president. Since Chávez died within the first four years of his term, the Constitution of Venezuela stated that a presidential election had to be held within 30 days of his death. Maduro was unanimously chosen as the Socialist Party's candidate in
5187-571: The presidential elections . According to BBC Mundo , during Maduro's tenure as foreign minister, "he was considered a key player in pushing the foreign policy of his country beyond Latin American borders to approach almost any government that rivaled the United States." Venezuela's foreign policy stances during his term included ending unofficial relations with Taiwan in favor of the People's Republic of China , support for Libya under Muammar Gaddafi , breaking off diplomatic ties with Israel during
5320-568: The 1980s, by becoming an unofficial trade unionist representing the bus drivers of the Caracas Metro system. He was also employed as a bodyguard for José Vicente Rangel during Rangel's unsuccessful 1983 presidential campaign . At 24 years of age, Maduro resided in Havana with other militants of leftist organizations in South America who had moved to Cuba in 1986, attending a one-year course at
5453-674: The Caribbean to increase. Brazil's president Lula da Silva supported Maduro's request to join BRICS. During the visit, Maduro also signed an agreement that included the training of Venezuelan astronauts, expressing his wish to send Venezuelans to the Moon. In the Israeli–Palestinian conflict , Maduro has frequently supported the Palestinian cause in international forums, declaring that " Jesus Christ
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5586-471: The Constituent Assembly elections. The presidential elections, whose original electoral date was scheduled for December 2018, was subsequently pulled ahead to 22 April before being pushed back to 20 May. Analysts described the poll as a show election , with the elections having the lowest voter turnout in the country's democratic era. Beginning six months after being elected, Maduro was given
5719-732: The Escuela Nacional de Cuadros Julio Antonio Mella, a centre of political education directed by the Union of Young Communists. During his time in Cuba, Maduro was instructed by Pedro Miret Prieto [ es ] , a senior member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of Cuba who was close to Fidel Castro . According to Carlos Peñaloza, Maduro was allegedly tasked by the Castro government to serve as
5852-468: The Internet, the health minister was fired, and the military was put in charge of Venezuela's health ministry. The Maduro government focused on providing goods to the capital city, Caracas, while outlying regions of Venezuela experienced more shortages. President Maduro said he recognized there is hunger in Venezuela, though he blamed it on an economic war. Yván Gil, Venezuela's vice minister of relations to
5985-411: The Maduro administration enacted less strict currency regulations, shortages in Venezuela subsided. In a November 2019 interview with José Vicente Rangel , President Nicolás Maduro described dollarization as an “escape valve” that helps the recovery of the country, the spread of productive forces in the country and the economy. However, Maduro said that the Venezuelan bolívar will still remain as
6118-740: The Maduro government began to blame the United States for shortages. It enacted ' Plan Rabbit [ es ] ', encouraging Venezuelans to breed rabbits, slaughter them and eat their meat. By early 2018, gasoline shortages began to spread, with hundreds of drivers in some regions waiting in lines to fill their tanks, sleeping overnight in their vehicles during the process. In a September 2018 Meganálisis survey, nearly one-third of Venezuelans stated they consumed only one meal per day while 78.6 percent of respondents said they had issues with food security. The Wall Street Journal reported in March 2019 that parts of barrio La Vega had been without water for almost
6251-579: The Maduro government. By July 2016, Venezuelans desperate for food moved to the Colombian border. Over 500 women stormed past Venezuelan National Guard troops into Colombia looking for food on 6 July 2016. By 10 July 2016, Venezuela temporarily opened its borders, which had been closed since August 2015, for 12 hours. Over 35,000 Venezuelans traveled to Colombia for food within that period. Between 16–17 July, over 123,000 Venezuelans crossed into Colombia seeking food. The Colombian government set up what it called
6384-813: The Minister of Foreign Affairs. In September 2006, while attempting to travel back to Venezuela via Miami, Florida , Maduro was briefly detained by Homeland Security officers at the John F. Kennedy International Airport for around 90 minutes, after paying for three airplane tickets in cash. Both Maduro and President Hugo Chávez were in New York City attending the 61st session of the UN General Assembly , where President Chávez called US President George W. Bush "the devil" during his speech . The incident began when Maduro tried to pick up an item that had been screened at
6517-573: The National Film School, and a seat in the National Assembly). He later married Cilia Flores , a lawyer and politician who replaced Maduro as president of the National Assembly in August 2006, when he resigned to become Minister of Foreign Affairs , becoming the first woman to serve as president of the National Assembly. The two had been in a romantic relationship since the 1990s when Flores
6650-600: The Panamanian located Atlas Systems and J.A. Comercio de Generous Alimenticios diverted $ 5.5 million to Swiss accounts of two brothers-in-law of then-food minister, General Carlos Osorio in 2012 and 2013. In late January 2017, members of the United States Congress responded to the Associated Press investigation, suggested making targeted sanctions against corrupt Venezuelan officials who had taken advantage of
6783-1113: The UN General Assembly and stated that the authorities detained Maduro over his links to the Venezuelan failed coup in 1992 , a charge that President Chávez denied. Prior to his appointment to the vice presidency, Maduro had been chosen by Chávez in 2011 to succeed him in the presidency if he were to die from cancer. This choice was made due to Maduro's loyalty to Chávez and because of his good relations with other chavistas such as Elías Jaua , former minister Jesse Chacón and Jorge Rodríguez . Bolivarian officials predicted that following Chávez's death, Maduro would have political difficulties and that Venezuela would experience instability. Chávez appointed Maduro Vice President of Venezuela on 13 October 2012, shortly after Chavez' victory in that month's presidential election . Two months later, on 8 December 2012, Chávez announced that his recurring cancer had returned and that he would be returning to Cuba for emergency surgery and further medical treatment. Chávez said that, should his condition worsen and
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#17330846252276916-415: The UN's report, calling it "neither objective, nor impartial" and listed what it believed were a total of 60 errors in the report. On 4 August 2018, at least two drones armed with explosives detonated in the area where Maduro was delivering an address to military officers in Venezuela. The Venezuelan government claims the event was a targeted attempt to assassinate Maduro, though the cause and intention of
7049-450: The United States saying Maduro was converting Venezuela into a de facto dictatorship. The president of the National Assembly, Juan Guaidó , was declared interim president on 23 January 2019; the US, Canada, Brazil and several Latin American countries supported Guaidó as interim president the same day; Russia, China, and Cuba supported Maduro. As of March 2019, over 50 countries, the OAS, and
7182-661: The Venezuelan government were smuggled out of the country and sold for a profit. Hoarding also increased as Venezuelan consumers grew nervous over shortages. Individuals resorted to violent theft to acquire items that shortages made difficult to obtain. Venezuelan motorcycle organizations reported that their members were murdered for their motorcycles due to the shortage of motorcycles and spare parts. There were also reports of Venezuelan authorities being killed for their weapons, and trucks full of goods being attacked to steal desirable merchandise they are carrying. Shortages were so chronic that crime decreased because of them; since there
7315-433: The Venezuelan government, they resorted to the black market. This in turn raised the merchant's costs which resulted in price increases for consumers . The high black market rates made it difficult for businesses to purchase necessary goods or earn profits since the government often forced them to make price cuts. Maduro's government increased price controls after inflation grew and shortages of basic goods worsened. He called
7448-594: The businessman had to use the extra money to pay military personnel to import such products. The businessman said he had been paying millions of dollars to military officials for years, and that the food minister, Gen. Rodolfo Marco Torres, once had to be paid $ 8 million just to import goods into Venezuela. Documents seen by the Associated Press showing prices for corn also revealed that the government budgeted $ 118 million in July 2016, an overpayment of $ 50 million over average market prices for that month. According to retired general Antonio Rivero, Maduro allowed
7581-659: The businessmen for being a great example of the American Dream, and for their resilience, determination, strong courage and faith to survive physical and psychological tortures of the brutal and extreme ordeal. Mayor Turner also proclaimed that December 19 in the city of HOUSTON will be celebrated as “THE CITGO SIX DAY.” https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/houston/article/houston-citgo-6-turner-18570949.php?cmpid=gsa-chron-result Nicol%C3%A1s Maduro Nicolás Maduro Moros ( Spanish pronunciation: [nikoˈlas maˈðuɾo ˈmoɾos] ; born 23 November 1962)
7714-441: The country seeing a rebound from economic decline. The Economist wrote that Venezuela had also obtained "extra money from selling gold (both from illegal mines and from its reserves) and narcotics". On 3 May 2020, Venezuelan security forces prevented an attempt to overthrow Maduro by armed Venezuelan dissidents. The attempt was organised by an American private security company, Silvercorp USA , headed by Jordan Goudreau and
7847-640: The country", according to Miguel Viscuña, Director of Epidemiology of the Health Corporation of Central Miranda Venezuela also experienced shortages of electricity and was plagued by common blackouts. On 6 April 2016, President Maduro ordered public workers not to go to work believing it would cut down on energy consumption. However, the workers actually used more energy in their homes using air conditioning, electronics and appliances. On 15 April 2016, President Nicolás Maduro announced that Venezuela would reverse Chávez's time change introduced in 2007 due to
7980-428: The country's then-large oil profits. In 2003, the government created CADIVI (now CENCOEX ), a currency control board charged with handling foreign exchange procedures to control capital flight by placing currency limits on individuals. Such currency controls were determined to be the cause of shortages according to many economists and other experts. However, the Venezuelan government blamed other entities such as
8113-467: The country. In August 2015, American private intelligence agency company Stratfor used two satellite images of Puerto Cabello , Venezuela's main port used for importing goods, to show how severe shortages had become in Venezuela. One image from February 2012 showed the ports full of shipping containers when the Venezuelan government's spending was near a historic high before the 2012 Venezuela presidential election . A second image from June 2015 shows
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#17330846252278246-404: The country. The UN Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela concluded that the country's justice system independence has been deeply eroded; the mission also identified frequent due process violations, including political external interference and the admission of evidence through torture. Most Venezuelan television channels are controlled by the state, and information unfavourable to the government
8379-484: The country. Reuters noted that the creation of currency controls and subsidies were the main factors contributing to smuggling. Following President Maduro's move to grant the military control of Venezuela's food infrastructure, military personnel sold contraband into Colombia. One member, 1st Lt. Luis Alberto Quero Silva of the Venezuelan National Guard, was arrested for possessing three tons of flour, which
8512-450: The country. He is very much focused on consolidating his power among his own peers in Chavismo and much less on exercising or implementing a strategic vision for the country." However, following increased international sanctions during the Venezuelan crisis in 2019, the Maduro government abandoned socialist policies established by Chávez, such as price and currency controls, which resulted in
8645-458: The crisis. Doctors received threats not to release malnutrition data. In one case in "the Ministry of Health's 2015 annual report, the mortality rate for children under 4 weeks old had increased a hundredfold, from 0.02 percent in 2012 to just over 2 percent". The government responded to the release of this information on the Ministry's website saying had been hacked. The information was taken down from
8778-479: The deaths of at least three, on 12 July 2016, President Maduro granted Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López the power to oversee product transportation, price controls, and the Bolivarian missions . He also had his military oversee five of Venezuela's main ports. Maduro's actions made Padrino one of the most powerful people in Venezuela. An Associated Press investigation published in December 2016 found that
8911-443: The demonstrators during the protests that began on 12 February and called on the OAS to investigate. Relations were later restored in July 2014, after Vice President Jorge Arreaza attended the inauguration of President Juan Carlos Varela . On 11 August 2017, President Donald Trump said that he is "not going to rule out a military option" to confront the government of Maduro. On 23 January 2019, Maduro announced that Venezuela
9044-431: The dollars importers needed to pay for all of the basic products that enter Venezuela. According to Venezuelan residents, the government also rationed public water to those who used water over 108 hours a week because of the nation's poor water delivery systems. Gasoline was also rationed allegedly because subsidized Venezuelan gasoline was being smuggled to Colombia where it was sold for a higher price. In February 2014,
9177-500: The election of his successor Nicolás Maduro in 2013, shortage rates continued to increase and reached a record high of 28% in February 2014. Venezuela stopped reporting its shortage data after the rate stood at 28%. In January 2015, the hashtag #AnaquelesVaciosEnVenezuela (or #EmptyShelvesInVenezuela) was the number one trending topic on Twitter in Venezuela for two days, with Venezuelans posting pictures of empty store shelves around
9310-561: The election. When he assumed temporary power, opposition leaders argued that Maduro violated articles 229, 231, and 233 of the Venezuelan Constitution, by assuming power over the president of the National Assembly. The succession to the presidency of Maduro in 2013, according to Corrales and Penfold, was due to multiple mechanisms established by Maduro's predecessor, Chávez. Initially, oil prices were high enough for Maduro to maintain necessary spending for support, specifically with
9443-458: The explosions is debated. Others have suggested the incident was a false flag operation designed by the government to justify repression of opposition in Venezuela. Porras (Maduro's former chief of staff) said in 2019 that Maduro "delivered practically nothing in terms of public policy, in terms of direction" during his first term because, in Porras' opinion, "he does not have a clear vision for
9576-640: The food shortages and participated in graft. Democratic Senator of Maryland and ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee Ben Cardin stated, "When the military is profiting off of food distribution while the Venezuelan people increasingly starve, corruption has reached a new level of depravity that cannot go unnoticed." Senator Marco Rubio said that, "This should be one of President Trump 's first actions in office." According to an article in The New York Times , medical care
9709-483: The goods that Venezuela relies on. With the short supply of foreign currencies and Venezuela's reliance on imports, debt is created. Without settling its outstanding debt, Venezuela could not import the materials necessary for domestic production. Without such imports, more shortages were created since there was an increasing lack of production as well. Following mass looting in June 2016 due to shortages which resulted in
9842-509: The government mandating the rationing of water. Many Venezuelans no longer had access to water piped to their homes and instead relied on the government to provide water a few times monthly. Desperate Venezuelans often displayed their frustrations through protests and began to steal water "from swimming pools, public buildings, and even tanker trucks" to survive. Due to the water shortages, there were "increased [numbers of] cases of diseases such as scabies , malaria , diarrhea and amoebiasis in
9975-514: The government of Nicolás Maduro . The severity of the shortages led to the largest refugee crisis ever recorded in the Americas . The Maduro administration denied the extent of the crisis and refused to accept humanitarian aid from Amnesty International , the United Nations , and other groups while conditions worsened. The United Nations and the Organization of American States stated that
10108-512: The government resulted in a drop in production in Venezuela. According to Miguel Angel Santos, a researcher at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University , the industry of goods production in Venezuela was destroyed as a result of expropriations of private means of production since 2004, while a growth in import consumerism occurred when Venezuela had abundant oil money. The drop of oil prices beginning in 2014 made it impossible for
10241-403: The government said it had confiscated more than 3,500 tons of contraband food and fuel at the border with Colombia, which it said was intended for "smuggling" or "speculation". The president of the National Assembly, Diosdado Cabello , said the confiscated food should be given to the Venezuelan people and should not be "in the hands of these gangsters". One month later, President Maduro introduced
10374-403: The government to import necessary goods for Venezuelans, though by this point the country was largely reliant on imports. In the first few years Chávez was in office, his newly created social programs required large amounts of funding to make the desired changes. On 5 February 2003, the government created CADIVI , a currency control board charged with handling foreign exchange transactions. It
10507-409: The government was intentionally delaying the process. The government, in response, argued the protestors were part of a plot to topple Maduro. On 1 August 2016, CNE announced that enough signatures had been validated for the recall process to continue. While opposition leaders pushed for the recall to be held before the end of 2016, allowing a new presidential election to take place, the government vowed
10640-578: The government". They reported that life-saving treatment was denied to patients who supported the opposition. As the election neared, they were sent door-to-door, on house visits with a political purpose: "to hand out medicine and enlist voters for Venezuela's Socialist Party". Patients were warned that they could lose their medical care if they did not vote for the socialist party, and that, if Maduro lost, ties would be broken with Cuba, and Venezuelans would lose all medical care. Patients with chronic conditions, at risk of death if they couldn't get medicine, were
10773-466: The government. Students in Zulia state also demonstrated against the proposed system. Lorenzo Mendoza , the president of Empresas Polar , Venezuela's largest food producer, expressed his disagreement with the proposed system, saying it would penalize 28 million Venezuelans for the smuggling carried out by just a few. Days after the announcement, the Venezuelan government scaled back its plans for implementing
10906-491: The later years of Maduro's presidency, pro-government police and military forces launched the " Liberation of the People Operation [ es ] ", which they stated targeted street gangs and non-state paramilitary formations which they alleged had taken control of poor neighbourhoods. The operations reportedly resulted in thousands of arrests and an estimated 9,000 deaths, with the Venezuelan opposition claiming that
11039-401: The lucrative food dealings with Venezuelan military officials, and had contracts valued at $ 131 million between 2012 and 2015, showed the Associated Press his accounts for his business in Venezuela. The government would contract him for more than double the actual cost for products. For example, one corn contract of $ 52 million would be $ 20 million more than the market average. Then
11172-474: The men were trained in Colombia. Goudreau claimed the operation had involved 60 troops, including two former US special forces members. The Venezuelan government claimed the United States and its Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) were responsible for the operation and had support from Colombia. Juan Guaidó denied involvement in the operation. Goudreau claimed that Guaidó and two political advisers had signed
11305-530: The military to control their schemes, which made them less rebellious by giving them the resources to feed their families, among other benefits. The military also used currency control licenses to obtain dollars at a lower exchange rate than the average Venezuelan. The military shared the licenses with friendly businessmen to import very few goods with the cheaper dollars while pocketing the remaining dollars. Documents show that General Rodolfo Marco Torres had given contracts to potential shell companies . Two companies,
11438-490: The military was involved in schemes to benefit from food scarcity rather than help assuage it. Military sellers would drastically increase the cost of goods and create shortages by hoarding products. Ships containing imports would often be held at bay until military officials at Venezuela's ports were paid off. Officials bypassed standard practices, such as performing health inspections, pocketing money normally spent on such certificates. One anonymous businessman who participated in
11571-454: The military. Foreign ties that were established by Chávez were also used by Maduro as he applied skills that he had learned while serving as a foreign minister. Finally, the PSUV and government institutions aligned behind Maduro, and "the regime used the institutions of repression and autocracy , also created under Chávez, to become more repressive vis-à-vis the opposition". In April 2013, Maduro
11704-427: The minister of electricity, Luis Motta Dominguez, announced that beginning the following week, forced blackouts would occur throughout Venezuela four hours per day for the next 40 days. During prolonged blackouts in early 2019 , power, water and necessities became increasingly scarce or completely unavailable in certain areas. To counter this, on 1 April, Maduro announced power rationing that would last for 30 days. It
11837-408: The modern era". Maduro has a strategic partnership with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. After Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 , Maduro discussed increasing cooperation with Russia. Due to the raised oil prices resulting from the conflict, conversations have begun between Maduro and US officials, suggesting the possibility of lifting of US sanctions on Venezuela and improved relations between
11970-692: The national currency. President Hugo Chávez's policies relied heavily on oil revenues to fund large quantities of imports. Production under Chávez dropped because of his price control policies and poorly managed expropriations. His successor, Nicolás Maduro , continued most of Chávez's policies until they became unsustainable. When oil profits began declining in 2014, Maduro began limiting imports needed by Venezuelans and shortages began to grow. Foreign reserves, usually saved for economic distress, were being spent to service debt and to avoid default, instead of being used to purchase imported goods. Domestic production, which had already been damaged by government policies,
12103-433: The new president Juan Guaidó cautioned that the Maduro government had plans to steal the products for humanitarian purposes that entered the country, including plans to distribute these products through the government's food distribution program CLAP. As a result of the shortages and price controls, arbitrage (or bachaqueo ), the ability to buy low and sell high, came about in Venezuela. For example, goods subsidized by
12236-566: The new system, saying it was now voluntary and is only for 23 basic goods. Despite public displeasure with the system, in an October 2014 Wall Street Journal article, it was reported that the fingerprint rationing system had expanded to more state-owned markets. In 2013, the government of Venezuela seized the Manufactora de Papel toilet paper factory in an attempt to reduce shortages; it had also seized several large farms to try to address food shortages. According to Aristóbulo Istúriz , who
12369-468: The nightly closings was to be assessed after 30 days. Following large shortages in January 2015, Makro announced that some stores would begin using fingerprint systems and that customers would be rationed both daily and monthly. The blackouts are just more evidence of an utterly dysfunctional government ... This is a government that is not governing. Rationing of electricity and water began to increase into 2016. Water shortages in Venezuela resulted in
12502-555: The operations are actually a state instrument of repression. The UN subsequently released a report condemning the violent methods of the operation. Although the Venezuelan Government's Ombudsman , Tarek William Saab has admitted that his office received dozens of reports of "police excesses", he defended the need for the operations and stated that his office would be working alongside the police and military "to safeguard human rights". The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry has criticised
12635-485: The policy an economic counterattack against the "parasitic bourgeoisie". Price regulators, with military backing, forced businesses to lower prices on everything from electronics to toys. For example, Venezuelan McDonald's franchises began offering a Big Mac meal for 69 bolivars or $ 10.90 in January 2014, though only making $ 1 at the black market rate. Since businesses made lower profits, this led to further shortages because they could not afford to pay to import or produce
12768-413: The port with many fewer containers, since the Venezuelan government could no longer afford to import goods, as oil revenues dropped. At the end of 2015, it was estimated there was a shortage of over 75% of goods in Venezuela. By May 2016, experts feared that Venezuela was possibly entering a period of famine , with President Maduro encouraging Venezuelans to cultivate their own food. In January 2016, it
12901-481: The power to rule by decree by the pre-2015 Venezuelan legislature (from 19 November 2013 to 19 November 2014, 15 March 2015 to 31 December 2015) and later by the Supreme Tribunal (since 15 January 2016) to address the ongoing economic crisis in the country, with strong condemnation by the Venezuelan opposition claiming that the legislature's power had been usurped by the court. His presidency has coincided with
13034-460: The president of the National Assembly, Juan Guaidó , was declared interim president on 23 January 2019 by the opposition legislative body—kicking off a presidential crisis that spanned nearly four years and divided the international community . In 2024, he ran for a third term in an election which the Maduro-aligned CNE claimed he won —without providing evidence—casting Venezuela into
13167-472: The proceeds that were being funneled into the accounts of corrupt Venezuelan officials and hold them for a possible future government in Venezuela. A month later, on 17 May 2018, the Colombian government seized 25,200 CLAP boxes containing about 400 tons of decomposing food, which was destined for distribution to the Venezuelan public. The Colombian government said they were investigating shell companies and money laundering related to CLAP operations, and claimed
13300-533: The region." Days later on 27 November, the United States eased sanctions on Venezuela and allowed Chevron Corporation to temporarily work with the Venezuelan government. Maduro made an official state visit to Saudi Arabia in June 2023. He also visited China in September 2023, requesting China's support for Venezuela to join the economic bloc BRICS and saying he wanted China's investment in Latin America and
13433-471: The same day that President Donald Trump received Juan Guaidó (Maduro's opponent in the Venezuelan presidential crisis ) at the White House . On November 26, 2020 the executives were sentenced on corruption-related charges. On April 30, 2021 they were issued a measure of house arrest, but were transferred to El Helicoide after the extradition of Maduro-linked Colombian businessman Alex Saab in 2021, who
13566-502: The shipment was to be used to buy votes during the 2018 Venezuelan presidential election . On 18 October 2018, Mexican prosecutors accused the Venezuelan government and Mexican individuals of buying poor quality food products for CLAP and exporting them to Venezuela, doubling their value for sale. Suspects investigated by the Mexican government offered to pay $ 3 million to the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR . On 4 February 2019,
13699-523: The shortage of electricity (the country's hydroelectric power experienced low water levels ) in Venezuela, with a return to UTC−04:00 which began on 1 May 2016 at 03:00:00. On 20 April 2016, the government ordered the rationing of electricity in ten Venezuelan states, including the capital city of Caracas; This followed after other attempts to curb electricity usage including moving Venezuela's time zone ahead and telling Venezuelan women to stop using hairdryers had failed. Two days later, on 22 April 2016,
13832-573: The shortage of medicines reached 85%, according to the Pharmaceutical Federation of Venezuela (Federación Farmacéutica de Venezuela). Hours-long lines were common, and those who waited did not always receive service. Some Venezuelans resorted to eating wild fruit and garbage . On 9 February 2018, a group of United Nations Special Procedures and the Special Rapporteurs on food, health, adequate housing and extreme poverty issued
13965-474: The shortages resulted in unnecessary deaths in Venezuela and urged the government to accept humanitarian aid. Though The New York Times asserts that the Maduro administration and its economic irresponsibility directly caused a lack of food, Maduro stated that the country had adequate access to food. During the shortages, milk, meat, coffee, rice, oil, precooked flour, butter, toilet paper, personal hygiene products, and medicines were scarce. By January 2017,
14098-489: The shortages they faced. As of 2016, the average Venezuelan living in extreme poverty lost nearly 19 pounds due to lack of food. In March 2017, a basket of basic grocery items cost four times the monthly minimum wage and by April, more than 11% of the children in the country suffered from malnutrition. By 2018, more than 30 percent of Venezuelans were only eating one meal per day. The Venezuelan government often censored and denied health information and statistics surrounding
14231-401: The subsidized basic goods in short supply were being smuggled into Colombia and sold for far higher prices. The Venezuelan government claimed that as much as 40% of the basic commodities it subsidizes for the domestic market were being disposed of in this manner. However, economists disagreed with the Venezuelan government's claim saying that only 10% of subsidized products are smuggled out of
14364-510: The system did nothing to relieve shortages because the large economic changes the country needed to make were simply overlooked. Following the announcement of the fingerprint system, protests broke out denouncing the proposed move in many cities in Venezuela. The MUD opposition coalition called on Venezuelans to reject the new fingerprinting system and called on supporters to hold a nationwide cacerolazo (a noisy form of protest). These were primarily held in areas that traditionally opposed
14497-481: The two countries. During the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference in November, multiple world leaders interacted with Maduro, including President of France Emmanuel Macron , Prime Minister of Portugal António Costa and American John Kerry , with President Macron addressing Maduro as "president" and stating "I would be happy if we could talk to each other for longer to engage in useful bilateral work for
14630-424: The violence was carried out especially in Venezuela's poor neighborhoods, and included "8,292 extrajudicial executions carried out between 2015 and 2017". In one year, 22% of homicides (4,667) were committed by security forces. Amnesty International's Erika Guevara-Rosas said, "The government of President Maduro should guarantee the right to life, instead of taking the lives of the country's young people." During
14763-414: Was Hugo Chávez 's lawyer following the 1992 Venezuelan coup d'état attempts and were married in July 2013 months after Maduro became president. While they have no children together, Maduro has three step-children from his wife's first marriage to Walter Ramón Gavidia; Walter Jacob, Yoswel, and Yosser. Maduro is a fan of John Lennon 's music and his campaigns for peace and love. Maduro has said that he
14896-486: Was Maduro's chief of staff during his tenure as foreign minister, said that in the early days of Chavismo , Maduro was considered "pragmatic" and a "very skilled politician" who was "good at negotiating and bargaining". Porras said the Maduro "was extremely effective at getting in touch with heads of state and getting the agreements (...) signed and achieved in a very rapid period of time". According to Rory Carroll , Maduro did not speak any foreign languages while serving as
15029-429: Was Vice President of Venezuela, the government-operated Local Supply and Production Committees (CLAP) that provides food to Venezuelans in need, are a "political instrument to defend the revolution". Allegations arose that only supporters of Maduro and the government were provided food, while critics were denied access to goods. PROVEA , a Venezuelan human rights group, described CLAPs as "a form of food discrimination that
15162-419: Was a humanitarian crisis, instead saying there was simply less availability of food. Yván Gil, vice minister of relations to the European Union , said that an economic war had affected "the availability of food, but [Venezuela is] still within the thresholds set by the UN". Following targeted sanctions by the United States government in late-2017 due to the controversial Constituent National Assembly elections ,
15295-737: Was a young Palestinian unjustly crucified by the Spanish Empire ". On 7 November 2023, he condemned Israel 's actions in the Gaza Strip during the Israel–Hamas war and accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Maduro promoted a consultative referendum in Venezuela to support Venezuela's claim to the Essequibo region , which is disputed with, and controlled by, neighboring Guyana . The referendum took place on 3 December 2023, and
15428-519: Was being diverted from smaller cities in Venezuela to Caracas to give the illusion that Maduro had fixed the problem after the fourth blackout. Guaidó also said that "anti-Maduro leaders" had made deals to import power through Colombia and Brazil to temporarily solve the problem, because there wasn't enough power even to ration. Venezuelan consumers had mainly negative feelings toward the fingerprint rationing system, saying it created longer lines, especially when fingerprint machines malfunctioned. They felt
15561-600: Was born on 23 November 1962 in Caracas, Venezuela, into a working-class family. His father, Nicolás Maduro García, who was a prominent trade union leader, died in a motor vehicle accident on 22 April 1989. His mother, Teresa de Jesús Moros, was born in Cúcuta , a Colombian border town at the boundary with Venezuela. He was born into a leftist family and "militant dreamer of the Movimiento Electoral del Pueblo (MEP)". Maduro
15694-442: Was breaking ties with the United States following President Trump's announcement of recognizing Juan Guaidó , the Venezuelan opposition leader, as the interim President of Venezuela. Another diplomatic crisis with Panama occurred in 2018 . On 14 January 2019, days after Brazil recognised Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the country's interim president, Maduro called Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro "a Hitler of
15827-459: Was considered a person of interest by Venezuelan authorities in the kidnapping of William Niehous [ es ] , an American businessman and head of Owens-Illinois in Venezuela, who was held hostage by leftist militants who would later become close to Hugo Chávez. Maduro found employment as a bus driver for many years for the Caracas Metro company. He began his political career in
15960-476: Was created to control the flight of capital from the country by placing limits on the amount of foreign currency individuals could purchase. The Chávez administration also enacted agricultural measures that caused food imports to rise dramatically. This slowed domestic production of such agricultural mainstays as beef, rice, and milk. With Venezuela's reliance on imports and its lack of US dollars to pay for them, shortages resulted. With limits on foreign currency,
16093-716: Was elected on the MVR ticket to the Venezuelan Chamber of Deputies in 1998 , to the National Constituent Assembly in 1999, and finally to the National Assembly in 2000 , at all times representing the Capital District . The Assembly elected him as Speaker, a role he held from 2005 until 2006. Maduro was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2006, and served under Chávez in that position until being appointed Vice President of Venezuela in October 2012, after
16226-570: Was elected president , narrowly defeating opposition candidate Henrique Capriles with just 1.5% of the vote separating the two. Capriles demanded a recount, refusing to recognize the outcome as valid. Maduro was inaugurated as president on 19 April, after the election commission had promised a full audit of the election results. In October 2013, he announced the creation of a new agency, the Vice Ministry of Supreme Happiness, to coordinate social programmes. Opposition leaders in Venezuela delivered
16359-420: Was estimated, that the food scarcity rate ( indicador de escasez ) was between 50% and 80%. The newly elected National Assembly , composed primarily of opposition delegates, declared a national food crisis a month later in February 2016. Many Venezuelans then began to suffer from shortages of common utilities, such as electricity and water, because of the prolonged period of mishandling and corruption under
16492-590: Was facing federal money laundering charges in the United States. The US government demanded the immediate release of the executives. On March 9, 2022, one of the Citgo Six was released following a meeting between US officials, including US Ambassador to Venezuela James B. Story , and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro . The families of the five remaining executives were a part of the Bring Our Families Home campaign which advocates for bringing home wrongful detainees and hostages. Their images are featured in
16625-475: Was held in 2013, where Maduro was declared the winner with 50.62% of the vote as the United Socialist Party of Venezuela candidate. He has ruled Venezuela by decree since 2015 through powers granted to him by the ruling party legislature. Shortages in Venezuela and decreased living standards led to a wave of protests in 2014 that escalated into daily marches nationwide, repression of dissent and
16758-586: Was hoped that this would preserve power for the areas that needed it most, prevent more blackouts, and make water, oil, and food more accessible as a result – the water lines were also out of service, whilst oil refineries, food production plants, and refrigeration shut down. Part of the power rationing plan was to end the workday at 2 pm. In a tweet, the National Assembly President and Interim President of Venezuela Juan Guaidó said that rationing wasn't actually happening, and suggested that power
16891-620: Was inspired by the music and counterculture of 1960s and 70s, mentioning also Robert Plant and Led Zeppelin . Maduro attended a public high school , the Liceo José Ávalos, in El Valle. His introduction to politics was when he became a member of his high school's student union. According to school records, Maduro did not graduate from high school. According to author and former Venezuelan Army Commander in Chief Carlos Peñaloza, Maduro
17024-535: Was likely part of a more elaborate grift operation among the country's military. In 2013, the president of the Venezuelan government's Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE) Elias Eljuri, referring to a national survey, suggested that toilet paper shortages in the country were due to Venezuelans' eating more. Data provided by the Venezuelan government's statistical office instead showed that in 2013, food consumption by Venezuelans actually decreased. By March 2016, 87% of Venezuelans were reportedly consuming less due to
17157-430: Was not evidence of abnormalities during the screening process. A UN diplomat said that Maduro was not authorized to speak publicly while his trip was delayed because he had shown up late without a ticket, prompting the screening. Maduro said the incident prevented him from traveling home on the same day. When he was informed of the incident, President Chávez said Maduro's detention was retaliation for his own speech at
17290-644: Was raised in Calle 14, a street in Los Jardines, El Valle, a working-class neighborhood on the western outskirts of Caracas. The only male of four siblings, he had three sisters, María Teresa, Josefina, and Anita. Maduro was raised as a Roman Catholic . In 2012, it was reported by the New York Times that he was a follower of Indian Hindu guru Sathya Sai Baba and previously visited the guru in India in 2005. He stated in
17423-636: Was reported that the Tarjeta de Abastecimiento Seguro failed to move past the trial phase, and that another "biometric card" was going to be developed according to President Maduro. Soon after, in August 2014, President Maduro announced the creation of a new voluntary fingerprint scanning system that was allegedly aimed at combating food shortages and smuggling. The Venezuelan government announced that 17,000 troops would be deployed along its border with Colombia. They were to assist in closing down traffic each night to strengthen anti-smuggling efforts. The effect of
17556-415: Was unable to replace the necessary imported goods. According to economist Ángel Alayón, the availability of food throughout Venezuela is directly controlled and distributed by the government, even that through private companies. Alayón states the problem is not distribution, however, but production; he claims that nothing is being produced so over-regulation of distributors is irrelevant. Expropriations by
17689-480: Was withheld for political gain. Mission Barrio Adentro was a program established by Chávez to bring medical care to poor neighborhoods; it was staffed by Cubans that were sent to Venezuela in exchange for petroleum. The New York Times interviewed sixteen Cuban medical professionals in 2019 who had worked for Barrio Adentro prior to the 2018 Venezuelan presidential elections ; all sixteen revealed that they were required to participate in voting fraud. They "described
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