Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who has been in power since 2013 and is seeking a third term in the July 28 election, remains confident in his leadership of the OPEC nation, which has been under socialist rule for 25 years.
In a recent state television broadcast, Maduro declared, “Come rain, shine, or lightning … we’re going to win by a landslide,” after announcing mock election results that he claimed showed an “irreversible victory.”
At 61, Maduro—formerly a foreign minister and bus driver—displays notable energy and electoral confidence, despite strong support for his opponent, Edmundo González, among Venezuelans frustrated by years of economic hardship. González, 74, took the place of opposition figure Maria Corina Machado on the ballot, which features nine other candidates, following a January ruling that upheld a ban preventing her from holding public office.
Maduro, known for his fondness for green juices which he promotes for their health benefits, is aiming for his second reelection. His 2018 victory is widely criticized by Venezuela’s opposition, the United States, and other Western nations as fraudulent.
The election is scheduled on what would have been Hugo Chávez’s birthday, and Maduro has framed a potential victory as a tribute to his late mentor.
Promises Amid Economic Collapse
Under Maduro’s leadership, Venezuela has endured a prolonged economic collapse, leading to the migration of approximately 7.7 million people.
Nearly 82% of Venezuelans now live in poverty, with 53% in extreme poverty, unable to afford even basic necessities, according to a U.N. special rapporteur’s report from February.
Maduro, known for his dramatic style and love of salsa music, often refers to opposition politicians as “fascist demons” and “the surnames,” a derogatory term aimed at their perceived wealth. He accuses them of exacerbating power outages through sabotage and claims they are preparing to falsely allege election fraud.
Critics, both domestically and internationally, accuse Maduro of being a dictator who has imprisoned and persecuted political opponents, systematically blocking opposition candidates from participating in elections. Maduro denies these accusations and promises to bring peace and economic renewal, aiming to reduce Venezuela’s reliance on oil revenues.
Despite years of mismanagement, declining oil prices, and U.S. sanctions impacting crude output, oil is projected to account for nearly 60% of Venezuela’s income in 2024, according to official figures.
Maduro’s image is prominently displayed on posters, murals, and advertisements throughout Caracas, with slogans encouraging citizens to vote for him in the upcoming election. On the campaign trail, he frequently appears with his son, Nicolás Maduro Guerra, and promotes his favorite green juice—made from cucumber, celery, ginger, green apple, lime, and spinach—as a source of energy, often sharing this preference with crowds.
