Maduro Tightens Grip on Power Amid International Rejection and Opposition Turmoil

Nicolás Maduro, whose presidency has been marked by nearly 12 years of economic and social turmoil, was inaugurated for a third term on Friday. The event proceeded despite ongoing disputes over the July election, international calls for his resignation, and heightened U.S. efforts to apprehend him on criminal charges.

Although Venezuela’s electoral authority and Supreme Court declared Maduro the winner, detailed vote tallies supporting this outcome have yet to be published. The opposition claims the election was fraudulent, alleging that their candidate, Edmundo González, secured a decisive victory. Several nations, including the United States, recognize González as the legitimate president-elect. International election observers also criticized the election as undemocratic.

Opposition Figures in Exile and Hiding

Since the contested election, González has sought refuge in Spain, while his ally, María Corina Machado, remains in hiding within Venezuela. Prominent opposition figures and demonstrators have been detained during this period. On Friday, Machado released a video urging González to delay his return to Venezuela, citing security concerns.

“Edmundo will return to Venezuela to assume his role as constitutional president at the appropriate time,” Machado stated. “His safety is paramount for the eventual defeat of the regime and the transition to democracy, which is drawing near.” She also called for widespread protests to challenge Maduro’s administration.

In response, the Venezuelan government reiterated its stance that González would face arrest upon his return and announced a $100,000 reward for information leading to his capture.

International Pressure Mounts

The United States, escalating its efforts against Maduro, raised the reward for his arrest on drug trafficking charges to $25 million, up from $15 million. Similar rewards were announced for senior officials in Maduro’s government, including Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino. Additional sanctions were imposed on key officials, targeting assets and restricting international dealings.

Sanctions from the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Canada further compounded international pressure on the Maduro regime, penalizing individuals connected to the disputed election and human rights violations.

Maduro dismissed the sanctions during his inauguration speech, labeling them as part of an “economic war” against Venezuela.

Economic Crisis and Public Sentiment

Maduro’s tenure has coincided with one of the worst economic crises in Venezuela’s history, characterized by hyperinflation, widespread poverty, and the emigration of over 7 million citizens. While the government claims modest economic growth in the past year, critics argue that the gains are insufficient to alleviate the hardships faced by ordinary Venezuelans.

The president’s inauguration drew a mix of international supporters, including Cuba’s Miguel Díaz-Canel and Nicaragua’s Daniel Ortega, as well as representatives from Russia and Bolivia. In contrast, opposition leaders and international organizations continued to decry the administration’s repression and disregard for democratic norms.

As Maduro begins his third term, the nation remains deeply polarized, with questions surrounding its political future and the international community’s ongoing response to the crisis.