Tensions rise in Venezuela as they face on going political repression. The political situation remains rough as they struggle to remain too democratic. January 10th, 2019, Nicola Maduro claims the presidency after a rigged election condomized by many other leaders, the people of Venezuela have been speaking out against this oppression but have been met with walls and roadblock as well as threats every step of the way. This includes manipulation of voters as Maduro used intimidation and disenfranchisement, as well as outright bans on other political parties to secure his spot as president of Venezuela.
The people have called for a return of democracy, yet their voices remained suppressed, however Maduro uses imprisonment of civic, military, and political leaders as well as controlling food to continue to control people. According to the U.S. Department of State “9.3 million Venezuelans are moderately to severely food insecure,” that amounts to one third of the population and that number has only risen as of 2025. As this happens the basic social services of the people are on a downward spiral leading to a humanitarian crisis, this has only been exasperated by COVID-19. “7 million Venezuelans urgently need humanitarian assistance” and “5.4 million Venezuelans have fled” say the United Nations.
Maduro has been detaining and abusing political opponents, with 822 political prisoners according to a human rights group, backed by congress. As of, 2019, democratically backed President Juan Guaidó is recognized by 60 countries as well as the Organization of American states, as the proper President in an effort to restore democracy. They are working to expose the truth of Maduro’s intentions, raise awareness, and provide health care to the people of Venezuela.
On March 31, 2017, the U.S. provided the framework for peaceful, democratic transition. The U.S. also is ensuring the ‘illegitimate Maduros regime’ won’t be able to use the U.S financial system for its acts via 300 designations from executive orders and the kingpin act. (“Kingpin Act targets, on a worldwide basis, significant foreign narcotics traffickers, their organizations, and operatives.” – Office of the Press Secretary). As time went on the U.S. joined 15 other countries on September 23, 2019, to invoke the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance (TIAR) aka the Rio Treaty to combat Maduro’s regime.
However as of August 2025, Maduro has mobilized large amounts of civilian militia. Numbers report over 4.5 million, as the U.S. deploys troops in the Caribbean, claiming it as “a threat to Venezuela’s sovereignty.” The U.S deployed these warships and thousands of military personnel, under the claims that this was a “mission against drug cartels,” While Maduro focuses on building a military against the U.S., Venezuelans face economic collapse , as years of mishandling, and low oil prices led to a downfall of their economy, the GDP in 2024 is less than half of their GDP in 2013.
With all these factors in play, the low GDP, little to no health care, political unrest from the people and the push back against Maduro from most of the world; it’s clear Venezuela is facing a harsh end to Maduro’s regime.
