Elections

The possibility of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro retaining power is motivating many Venezuelans to leave, according to a recent survey. But a new stream of Venezuelan migration could have serious consequences for Latin America, the US-Mexico border, and even the US presidential race.

The Venezuelan government has ramped up an intimidation campaign against opposition activists and the media since last month’s presidential election. Now, some people are trying to find creative ways to bypass the censorship.

A generation ago, Hugo Chávez’s election brought a wave of euphoria to Venezuela. The country was awash with oil dollars, and Chavez spent liberally on social programs. Now, his revolution has turned into an authoritarian regime whose broken economy forced millions to leave. Current President Nicolás Maduro is now facing serious accusations of electoral fraud. But even when they are a minority, there are still Venezuelans who continue to embrace Maduro’s government.

This Sunday, there’s a crucial presidential election in Venezuela that has brought high hopes for change. The country’s authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro is seeking reelection. During his 11-year rule, the country’s economy collapsed, repression escalated and millions of people left, contributing to a migrant surge across Latin America and the United States. According to most polls, Maduro is not a popular president, but it’s not clear if he will give up power if he loses.

US President Joe Biden’s announcement to step out of the presidential election elicited a burst of mockery in Russian state media. But analysts say that these messages reveal a lot more about Russian politics than the US democratic system.