Venezuela’s maduro Begins Controversial Third Term Amid International Condemnation and Sanctions
venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was sworn in for a third term on Friday, January 10, 2025, in a ceremony that drew sharp criticism from the international community and sparked a wave of new sanctions. The United States, the European Union, and other nations have condemned the inauguration as illegitimate, with the U.S. increasing its bounty for Maduro’s arrest to $25 million.
The event, attended by only two foreign leaders—Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega—highlighted Maduro’s growing isolation.Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a congratulatory message, but traditional allies like Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva were notably absent.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the inauguration “illegal,” stating, “the venezuelan people and the world know the truth. Maduro clearly lost the 2024 presidential election and has no right to declare himself president.” The Biden governance responded with a new round of sanctions targeting Maduro’s regime, including bounties on key officials like Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello ($25 million) and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino ($15 million).
Election Dispute and Opposition’s Struggle
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Maduro’s victory in the July 2024 election has been mired in controversy.While Venezuelan electoral authorities and the Supreme court declared him the winner, the detailed results were never released, fueling a six-month dispute. The opposition claims their candidate, Edmundo González, won a landslide victory. González, recognized as the president-elect by the U.S. and other nations, fled to Spain in September 2024 after facing threats.
Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who has gone into hiding in Venezuela, urged supporters to protest, saying, ”It is time to take all necessary measures to restore the constitution.” In a video released on Friday, Machado advised González against returning to Venezuela, stating, “His integrity is fundamental to the ultimate defeat of this regime and the transition to democracy.”
González, however, remains defiant. During a speech in the Dominican Republic, he vowed, “Soon, very soon, no matter what they do, we will find a way to get into venezuela and put an end to this tragedy.” He also called on the military to ignore Maduro’s “illegal orders” and halt the crackdown on dissent.
International Sanctions and Bounties
The U.S. action coincided with sanctions from the UK, EU, and Canada. The EU extended its sanctions against Venezuela for another year, targeting 15 officials, while Canada imposed measures on 14 current and former officials. These sanctions aim to pressure Maduro’s government, which has dismissed them as part of an “economic war” against Venezuela.
| Key Actions Against Maduro’s Regime |
|—————————————–|
| U.S. Bounty on Maduro | $25 million |
| U.S. Bounty on diosdado Cabello | $25 million |
| U.S. Bounty on Vladimir Padrino | $15 million |
| EU Sanctions | 15 officials |
| UK Sanctions | 15 officials |
| Canada Sanctions | 14 officials |
Maduro’s Defiance and Isolation
Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, remains defiant despite the mounting pressure. His government has consistently denied allegations of election fraud and human rights abuses, framing the sanctions as attempts to destabilize Venezuela. However,the lack of international support at his inauguration underscores his dwindling influence.
As the opposition rallies for change and the international community tightens its grip, Venezuela’s political future hangs in the balance. The coming months will be critical in determining whether Maduro can maintain his grip on power or if the opposition’s push for democracy will prevail.
For more updates on Venezuela’s political crisis, follow our coverage here.
Venezuela’s Political Crisis: Maduro’s Third Term, International Sanctions, and the Struggle for Democracy
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s controversial third-term inauguration on January 10, 2025, has sparked widespread international condemnation and a new wave of sanctions. The United States,the European Union,and other nations have denounced the event as illegitimate,with the U.S. increasing its bounty for Maduro’s arrest to $25 million.Amid growing isolation and a disputed 2024 election, Venezuela’s political future remains uncertain. In this exclusive interview, Senior Editor of world-today-news.com speaks with dr. Elena Morales,a leading expert on Latin American politics,to unpack the implications of Maduro’s third term,the opposition’s struggle,and the international response.
Maduro’s Third Term and International Isolation
Senior Editor: Dr. Morales, Maduro’s inauguration was attended by onyl two foreign leaders—Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega. What does this say about his current standing on the global stage?
Dr. Elena Morales: It’s a clear indication of Maduro’s growing isolation. Historically, Venezuela has had strong ties with countries like Brazil and Argentina, but their absence at the inauguration speaks volumes. Even Russia, a traditional ally, only sent a congratulatory message rather than attending in person. This lack of international support underscores the widespread skepticism about the legitimacy of his third term.
senior Editor: The U.S. and EU have labeled the inauguration as “illegal.” How critically important is this condemnation, and what impact could it have on Maduro’s regime?
Dr. Elena Morales: The condemnation is significant as it reinforces the narrative that Maduro’s government lacks legitimacy. The U.S. has not only increased its bounty on Maduro but also imposed sanctions on key officials like Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino. These measures aim to weaken the regime’s financial and political infrastructure, but their effectiveness will depend on how much pressure they can exert internally and externally.
The Disputed 2024 Election and Opposition’s Struggle
Senior Editor: The 2024 election results remain disputed, with the opposition claiming their candidate, Edmundo González, won a landslide victory. Why has this dispute persisted for so long?
Dr.Elena Morales: The dispute stems from the lack of openness in the electoral process. Venezuelan electoral authorities and the Supreme Court declared Maduro the winner, but they never released detailed results. This opacity has fueled allegations of fraud and undermined confidence in the outcome. The opposition’s claims are further bolstered by international recognition of González as the legitimate president-elect, which adds to the regime’s credibility crisis.
Senior Editor: Opposition leader María Corina Machado has urged supporters to protest, while González has vowed to return to Venezuela. How effective do you think the opposition’s efforts will be in challenging Maduro’s regime?
Dr. Elena Morales: The opposition faces significant challenges. Maduro’s government has a tight grip on the military and security forces,which have been used to suppress dissent. Though, the opposition’s resilience and international support could galvanize public sentiment. If they can maintain momentum and unify their efforts, they might create enough pressure to force a political transition. But it’s a delicate balance—any misstep could lead to further crackdowns.
International Sanctions and Their Impact
Senior Editor: The U.S., EU, UK, and Canada have all imposed new sanctions on Maduro’s regime.How effective are these measures in achieving their goals?
Dr. Elena Morales: Sanctions are a double-edged sword. On one hand, they signal strong international disapproval and can limit the regime’s access to resources. On the other hand, they frequently enough exacerbate the suffering of ordinary Venezuelans, who are already grappling with economic hardship. The key is to target the regime’s leadership and financial networks without worsening the humanitarian crisis. The bounties on Maduro and his officials, such as, are a bold move that could incentivize internal dissent.
Senior Editor: Maduro has dismissed the sanctions as part of an “economic war” against venezuela. How does this rhetoric resonate domestically?
Dr. Elena Morales: Maduro has long used the narrative of an “economic war” to deflect blame for venezuela’s crises. While this rhetoric may resonate with some of his supporters, its effectiveness is waning as more Venezuelans recognize the regime’s role in the country’s decline. the opposition’s ability to counter this narrative with a clear vision for the future will be crucial in winning over the public.
The Future of Venezuela’s Political Crisis
Senior Editor: With Maduro’s grip on power seemingly unshaken, what do you see as the most likely scenarios for Venezuela’s political future?
Dr.Elena Morales: The coming months will be critical. If the opposition can sustain its momentum and garner broader international support, we could see a gradual erosion of Maduro’s authority. however, if the regime continues to suppress dissent and maintain control over key institutions, the crisis could drag on indefinitely. Ultimately,the path to democracy will require a combination of internal pressure,international solidarity,and a unified opposition strategy.
Senior Editor: Thank you, Dr. Morales, for your insights. It’s clear that Venezuela’s political crisis is far from over, and the international community’s role will be pivotal in shaping its future.
Dr. Elena Morales: Thank you. indeed, the stakes are high, and the world must remain engaged to support the Venezuelan people in their quest for democracy.
for more updates on Venezuela’s political crisis, follow our coverage here.
