Nicolás Maduro

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Nicolás Maduro
Born23 November 1962
Caracas, Venezuela
NationalityVenezuelan
Political orientationChavismo
Anti-imperialism
Democratic socialism
Bolivarianism
Political partyPSUV


Nicolás Maduro Moros is a Venezuelan politician and president of Venezuela since 2013. He succeeded fellow Bolivarian revolutionary Hugo Chávez.

Because of U.S. imperialism against Venezuela,[1][2] Maduro's presidency has faced various forms of aggression and interference, such as assassination attempts,[3][4][5] and destabilization efforts organized by US-backed coup leader Juan Guaidó, who, after a phone call with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, proclaimed himself president of Venezuela.[6] According to a page published in 2020 on the U.S. Department of State website, Maduro is listed as a "target" and the U.S. Department of State is offering a reward up to $15 million for information leading to his arrest.[7]

Presidency (2013-present)

Elections

Maduro was initially elected on April 14, 2013. This occurred following Chávez's death in March of that year.[8]

Maduro won with 50.66% of the votes cast. His main opposition was Henrique Capriles. Capriles was part of the Primero Justicia party. After losing, he attempted to encourage riots in 2013, which caused the fatalities of 11 people.[8]

The following year, Leopoldo López and his party of Voluntad Popular held 'La Salida' which were attacks which killed 43 people. These attacks also injured over 800 people.[8]

In early 2015, the Venezuelan government uncovered plans for a coup d'état. These plans had included attacking civilian regions in Caracas, as well as governmental institutions. These plans had been backed by the United States of America via its embassy in Venezuela. A number of politicians within the country had also loaned it their support.[8] This coup plan came to be known as the Blue Coup. Antonio Ledezma and Julio Borges were also found to be key operatives in this plan.[4]

Leading to the second election, some of the conservative parties threatened to not participate in the election. Maduro made it clear that the election would still be held regardless of this threat.[9]

In the following election, Maduro won a second time. 45.99% of the population voted, with 67.78%, or 6,157,185 votes, in favor of reelection. The main opposition candidate, Henri Falcon, received 21.01% of the vote.[10] Falcon had gone against the election boycott of the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) and had run in the election regardless of it.[11]

After the victory over Falcon, Maduro was accused of 'violating democracy' by the Venezuelan National Assembly on October 23, 2016. This was led by opposition leader Julio Borges. They also stated that Maduro was ineligible to hold the position due to having Colombian ancestors. The National Assembly was considered to hold no authority due to a ruling by the Supreme Court. Maduro accused the opposition of fraud and of having submitted falsified signatures during the signature drive. The opposition to Maduro in the National Assembly arranged protests called 'The takeover of Venezuela'.[12]

Regardless of the actions of these opposition parties, Maduro has repeatedly encouraged dialogue and communication with the opposition groups.[13]

Assassination attempts

During an event in Caracas on Bolivar Avenue on August 4, 2018, two drone attempted to assassinate Maduro. This attack occurred while he was finishing giving a speech.[4]

This attack was carried out by Soldados de Franelas. Soldados de Franelas had links to Óscar Pérez and CICPC, who had killed civilians in attacks in 2017. Governmental investigations also found connections to the attack with outgoing Colombian president, Juan Manuel Santos and agents within Florida.[4]

Following the attack, a suspect named Juan Carlos Monasterios was arrested and revealed details of the plot. It was learned from Monasterios that Juan Requesens was involved. Requesens was arrested afterward. He also revealed that Rayder Alexander Russo Márquez and Osmán Alexis Delgado Tabosky were both involved in the attack. Neither were immediately caught. Everyone arrested has explained the involvement of Julio Borges.[5]

It was learned that a group calling itself, Bravo, had planned attacks on other events which were called off due to a lack of preparation.[5]

Achievements

Social programs created by Chávez have been supported and continued by Maduro.[14]

In order to help promote what is beneficial to the people, Presidential Councils of People's Government have been created. These councils deal with a specific issue in the country and may aid in setting policy related to said issue.[8]

The Maduro government had taken significant steps to combat poverty in the country. As of 2015, 64% of the national budget is dedicated to this. This opposition to poverty have led to the creation of new governmental missions, such as, Jóvenes de la Patria and Hogares de la Patria.[8]

Food

The country also has excellent policies in relation to nutrition, according to Marcelo Resende, who is a representative at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.[8]

The Local Supply and Production Committees (CLAP) have provided 60,000 tons of food and necessities to the poor in Venezuela.[11]

In the past, Venezuelan's required food was satisfied by importing 85%. It now produces 94% of all required food goods in the country.[15]

Housing

Maduro has continued the legacy of Chávez's Great Venezuela Housing Mission (GMVV). By 2017, 1.6 million houses had been built.[16] This number had swelled to 4.6 million built by 2023.[17]

Medicine

During the Maduro administration, many steps have been taken to further the medical quality of the population. 71,900,000 free medical examinations have been provided. Venezuela has also worked with Cuba on Operation Miracle and has allowed sight back to 70,000 people.[11]

Political positions

International relations

The United States of America has attempted to meddle in Venezuelan affairs with other countries, including relations with European nations.[18]

After Maduro's reelection in 2018, he received wide congratulation from many different nations, including Bolivia, Cuba, El Salvador, Iran, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Russia[10], and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.[19]

In 2022, Maduro signed a 20-year cooperation agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran.[20] Later that year, he signed a declaration with Colombian president Gustavo Petro striving for Latin American reintegration.[21]

Nicolás Maduro has affirmed Venezuelan support for the DPRK against imperialism multiple times.[22][23]

LGBT+ rights

In 2017 and 2020, Maduro stated his support for the legalisation of same-sex marriage and made a request for Venezuela's National Assembly to discuss the topic.[24][25]

References

  1. ↑ John Bolton (2020). The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir: 'Chapter 9: Venezuela Libre'. Simon and Schuster.
  2. ↑ Norton, Ben. “Trump Advisor John Bolton Admits Planning US Coups in Venezuela and beyond.” Multipolarista. July 13, 2022. Archived 2022-07-31.
  3. ↑ Joe Parkin Daniels (2018-08-05). "Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro survives apparent assassination attempt" The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2022-07-15.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Misión Verdad (2018-08-10). "Maduro shows his strength, looks death in the face" Granma. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Nicolás Maduro: Here is the evidence on the failed assassination attempt" (2018-08-09). Granma. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  6. ↑ Dan Cohen, Max Blumenthal (2019-01-29). "The Making of Juan Guaidó: How the US regime change laboratory created Venezuela’s coup leader" The Grayzone. Archived from the original on 2022-03-22.
  7. ↑ “Nicolás Maduro Moros - New Target.” United States Department of State. March 26, 2020. Archived 2022-11-03.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 Mario Hubert Garrido (2015-04-22). "The Maduro government’s first two years" Granma. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  9. ↑ "Maduro: There will be elections come rain or shine" (2018-02-16). Granma. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "World leaders congratulate Nicolás Maduro for his reelection" (2018-05-22). Granma. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Dayron Rodríguez Rosales (2018-10-28). "How can the resistance of the Venezuelan people and Nicolás Maduro’s government be explained?" Granma. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  12. ↑ "Venezuela's right wing wants to impeach President Maduro" (2016-10-24). Granma. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  13. ↑ "Maduro invites opposition to meet with government" (2017-12-04). Granma. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  14. ↑ "President Maduro praises social programs in Venezuela" (2016-09-08). Granma. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  15. ↑ "'We Consolidated Peace in Venezuela in 2022', President Maduro" (2023-01-02). teleSUR. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  16. ↑ "President Maduro Celebrates 1.6 Millionth Home Built for the Poor" (2017-04-30). teleSUR. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  17. ↑ "Venezuela: President Maduro Delivers House Number 4.6 Million" (2023-07-21). teleSUR. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  18. ↑ "President Maduro Urges Lifting Sanctions Against Venezuela" (2023-07-19). teleSUR. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  19. ↑ "WPK Central Committee's Congratulatory Message to Venezuelan Party Leader" (2022-4-30). Rodong Sinmun. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  20. ↑ Benjamin Norton (2022-06-11). "Venezuela and Iran sign 20-year cooperation plan, Maduro pledges joint ‘anti-imperialist struggle’" Multipolarista. Archived from the original on 2022-07-18. Retrieved 2022-12-04.
  21. ↑ Ben Norton (2022-11-02). "Colombia’s new president reverses US coup, visits Venezuela, pledges unity in ‘spirit of Bolívar’" Multipolarista. Archived from the original on 2022-11-25. Retrieved 2022-12-04.
  22. ↑ "Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Receives Greetings from Venezuelan President" (2022-9-11). Rodong Sinmun. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  23. ↑ "Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Receives Message from Venezuelan President" (2022-12-27). Rodong Sinmun. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  24. ↑ http://shangay.com/maduro-creo-que-todo-el-mundo-se-puede-casar-aunque-sea-homosexual
  25. ↑ https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-politics-lgbt/venezuelas-maduro-citing-pope-asks-congress-to-consider-same-sex-marriage-idUSKBN27737E/
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