Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, whose nearly 12 years in office have been defined by a deep economic and social crisis, was sworn in for a third term on Friday. This comes amidst a six-month-long election dispute, international pressure for him to step down, and an increase in the U.S. reward for his capture.
Maduro, who has served as president since 2013, was declared the winner of July’s election by both Venezuela’s electoral authority and top court, though detailed results confirming his victory have not been released.
Venezuela’s opposition claims ballot-level tallies indicate a landslide victory for its former candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, who is recognized as president-elect by several countries, including the United States. International election observers have stated that the election was undemocratic.
In the months following the election, Gonzalez fled to Spain in September, his ally Maria Corina Machado went into hiding in Venezuela, and numerous high-profile opposition figures and protesters were detained.
Gonzalez, who has been traveling across the Americas this week, had pledged to return to Venezuela. However, Machado, appearing in a video shared on social media on Friday, stated that the timing was not right for his return.
“Edmundo will come to Venezuela to be sworn in as constitutional president of Venezuela at the right time,” Machado said. “Today, it isn’t viable for Edmundo to enter Venezuela. I’ve asked him not to do so because his integrity is fundamental for the final defeat of the regime and the transition to democracy, which is very close.”
“Maduro consolidated the coup and the violation of our constitution,” she added, urging street protests. “It’s time to do whatever is necessary to restore it.”
The government, which accuses the opposition of orchestrating fascist plots, has stated that Gonzalez will be arrested if he returns and has offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to his capture.
“Soon, very soon, whatever they do, we will manage to enter Venezuela and put an end to this tragedy,” Gonzalez said in remarks from the Dominican Republic, urging the military to defy “illegal orders” from Maduro and cease repression.
In a move coinciding with other international measures, the outgoing Biden administration raised its reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest or conviction on drug trafficking charges to $25 million, up from $15 million. It also announced a $25 million reward for Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, a $15 million reward for Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, and new sanctions against eight other officials, including PDVSA oil company head Hector Obregon.
The U.S. had indicted Maduro and others on narcotics and corruption charges in 2020, which Maduro has consistently denied.
The U.S. action was accompanied by sanctions from Britain and the European Union, each targeting 15 officials, including members of Venezuela’s National Electoral Council and security forces, and Canadian sanctions against 14 current and former officials.
Maduro’s government has rejected all sanctions, calling them illegitimate measures amounting to an “economic war” intended to weaken 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 addressing the sanctions.
The Venezuelan communications ministry did not immediately respond to inquiries about the sanctions, while U.S. officials declined to comment on potential future sanctions, including on the oil industry.
Maduro and his allies have lauded the country’s resilience despite sanctions, while also attributing some economic hardships to the measures.
In a statement, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Maduro’s inauguration illegitimate and reaffirmed that the U.S. would not recognize him as president.
“The Venezuelan people and world know the truth – Maduro clearly lost the 2024 presidential election and has no right to claim the presidency,” Blinken said.
Later on Friday, Defense Minister Padrino led members of the armed forces in a separate ceremony, pledging full loyalty to Maduro.
Detention and Opposition Details
Both Gonzalez and Machado are under investigation by Venezuela’s attorney general’s office for alleged conspiracy, though only Gonzalez faces a public arrest warrant.
Machado made her first public appearance since August at an anti-government march in Caracas on Thursday, during which she was briefly detained.
In her video statement on Friday, Machado recounted being stopped by police after the march, pulled from a motorcycle, and placed on another. She claimed she was coerced into filming several videos before being released.
One motorcyclist accompanying her was reportedly shot and arrested. A video circulated on social media showed Machado sitting on a curb, saying she had lost her wallet. Government officials dismissed the incident, labeling it an opposition ploy to garner sympathy.
According to the judicial NGO Foro Penal, 42 people have been detained for political reasons since Tuesday.
Maduro took the oath of office in the national assembly in Caracas, dedicating his presidency to sixteenth-century Indigenous leader Guaicaipuro and late President Hugo Chavez, his mentor.
“May this new presidential term be a period of peace, of prosperity, of equality, and the new democracy,” Maduro said, announcing plans to convene a commission for constitutional reform.
“This act is possible because Venezuela is peaceful, in full exercise of its national sovereignty, of its popular sovereignty, of its national independence,” Maduro said.
Around 2,000 guests from 125 countries attended the inauguration, according to the government. Attendees included Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz-Canel, Nicaragua’s President Daniel Ortega, Russia’s lower house speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, and Bolivia’s President Luis Arce, who congratulated Maduro on social media.
Economic Challenges
Venezuela temporarily closed its borders and airspace with Colombia for 72 hours starting at 5:00 AM local time (10:00 GMT), while Colombia announced its border would remain open.
International bodies, NGOs, and the opposition have long condemned the Venezuelan government for increasing repression of political parties, activists, and independent media.
President-elect Donald Trump has called the Maduro administration a dictatorship.
The Venezuelan government has accused the opposition of conspiring with foreign entities, including the CIA, to commit sabotage and terrorism. This week, it announced the detention of seven “mercenaries,” including a high-ranking FBI official and a U.S. military officer.
Venezuela’s prolonged economic crisis has led to triple-digit inflation and the migration of over 7 million citizens seeking better opportunities.
While Maduro’s government has adopted orthodox methods to curb inflation, which have shown some success, citizens remain burdened by unemployment, unreliable public services, and skyrocketing prices. Maduro recently announced that Venezuela’s economy grew by 9% last year.
