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Venezuelans head to the polls on Sunday with many hoping for a change in leadership

Elections

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.

a group of tourists take photos of the birds perched on the balcony rails

Macaws lighten things up in Venezuela’s capital, and form a special bond with residents

Environment
US dollars are now commonly used by businesses in Venezuela. The informal adoption of the dollar has helped to decrease inflation and product shortages.

Venezuela’s public sector workers take on multiple side jobs just to get by

Economics
a man standing in front of a colorful bottle cap mural

Venezuelan artist uses recycled bottle caps to create large eco-murals

Arts
A soldier is shown wearing a face mask and a military uniform while standing in front of a wall painted with the eyes of the late President Hugo Chávez.

Venezuela’s Maduro claims sweep of boycotted election

Elections
Protesters around a flower wreath

Workers’ movements advocate for rights on May Day; Saudi activists allege man killed over megacity plans; Doctors wait hours as Venezuela faces fuel shortages

Top of The World

As May Day celebrations and rallies have been curtailed, workers around the world are pushing for their rights. Fuel shortages are making life harder for Venezuelans, especially essential workers. And even as Lebanon teeters on the edge of economic collapse, some Americans are choosing to ride out the pandemic there. Meanwhile, Sweden’s gardeners have become real party poopers.

Customers wait while a fuel dispenser machine is fixed at a gas station in Caracas, Venezuela, April 23, 2020.

Doctors wait hours to fill tanks as Venezuela faces fuel shortages

COVID-19

Lines to buy fuel have been common in parts of Venezuela for years. But in recent weeks, the problem has arrived in the capital, where drivers are now waiting hours to fill their tanks. 

Venezuela's disputed President Nicolas Maduro gestures as he speaks during a special session of the National Constituent Assembly to deliver his annual state of the nation speech, in Caracas, Venezuela, Jan. 14, 2020.

The US has renewed its support for Venezuela’s opposition. What does it mean?

Earlier this week, President Donald Trump welcomed Juan Guaidó at the State of the Union speech, while other members of Venezuela’s National Assembly lobbied at the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva, with the support of Washington’s mission.

venezuelan ex military men in colombia

From Colombia, Venezuelan defectors arm themselves to ‘liberate’ their homeland

Conflict

Dubbing their planned offensive “Operation Venezuela,” ex-army sergeant Eddier Rodríguez said there were around 150 men ready to take part with his group.

Man stands wearing white shirt in front of a hotel.

Venezuela’s ex-military deserted Maduro hoping for a revolution. Now they’re on the brink of homelessness.

Conflict

Over 1,400 defectors and their families are holed up in hotels in Cúcuta, Colombia, where they are registered as asylum-seekers, according to Colombia’s migration authority. But funding has run out.