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Hugo Chávez

Who are the Venezuelans still backing Nicolás Maduro?

Elections

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.

A woman simulates her vote as Venezuela's National Electoral Council presents the technology platform for parliamentary elections in Caracas, Venezuela, Oct. 9, 2020. 

Getting at the vote: Part II

Critical State
Red stencil of eyes on a turquoise blue background.

Chávez’s revolutionaries caught between legacy and change in Venezuela

Global Politics
Maduro waves in front of a white flag

Former chief of staff: Maduro is ‘focused on consolidating his power’

Global Politics
Cutouts depicting images of oil operations

Why Venezuela’s oil money could keep undermining its economy and democracy

Economics
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Venezuelans walk past a wall painted with the face of then presidential candidate Hugo Chávez. The leftist military leader tapped into a wave of discontent in the country with falling living standards and corrupt public institutions, December 1998.

Venezuela was once the richest, most stable, democracy in Latin America. What happened?

Venezuela used to be one of the wealthiest countries in the world. So what happened? The World’s Jason Margolis looks at the economic collapse that led to the election of Hugo Chávez in 1998.

Venezuela President Maduro in blue suit holds his hands out and speaks at news conference.

Venezuelans fear ‘Fatherland Card’ may be a new form of social control

Global Politics

In Venezuela, the new “Fatherland Card” was introduced as a way to streamline the state-administered distribution of food. But many fear it may be part of a biometric ID system that could determine which citizens have access to basic services based on their political allegiances.

Chinese President Xi Jinping walks next to Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro in front of a row of Chinese troops

Venezuela’s new ‘fatherland’ ID card, created with China’s ZTE, helps create social control

Venezuela is rolling out a new, smart-card ID known as the ‘carnet de la patria,’ or ‘fatherland card.’ The ID transmits data about cardholders to computer servers. The card is increasingly linked by the government to subsidized food, health and other social programs most Venezuelans rely on to survive.

Daniel Ortega speaks in front of a huge picture of Hugo Chavez

Venezuelan oil fueled the rise and fall of Nicaragua’s Ortega regime

Global Politics

This time, it’s not the US that’s supporting an unpopular Nicaraguan dictator. It’s Venezuela.

The corporate logo of the state oil company PDVSA is seen at a gas station in Caracas,

Understaffed and overextended: How Venezuela’s oil industry fell apart

Economics

Venezuela is flush with oil. But in the past three years its economy has collapsed.

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