(March 2014) Wikimedia Commons, Author NoonIcarus, This file is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.

Translation of poster: “The strength of communism is the deceit”

Fireworks burst in the sky, families embrace under their glow, glasses clink in celebration. For most countries around the world, the New Year brings hope for new beginnings, along with time for resolutions and self-reflection. However, for Venezuelans the year of 2026 brought new political upheaval, marked by the abduction of their head of state, adding further chaos to its longstanding corrupt and fractured government. Taking to the streets for strikingly contrasting reasons, Venezuelans rallied in opposition to military intervention by the U.S. and gathered with their families, not to celebrate the new year, but to soothe their fears for the future of their nation.

While millions across the globe wound down from festive traditions and settled into the dawn of 2026, U.S forces launched a swift and decisive action that captured Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on January 3rd. ¹ This event stunned the world, took headlines by storm, and proved to be a turbulent start into what is widely recognized to be a time for new beginnings. As Venezuelans read the headlines linking “narco-terrorism” and “drug trafficking” to their missing leader, a storm of emotions surged within them, tarnishing their hopes for a clean slate before the country even had the chance to flourish.

Just as Maduro’s capture sparked intense international debate, it divided Venezuelan society, with citizens swept up in fear and uncertainty of how their reality had changed overnight. While some felt a sense of relief for what they considered a turning-point for democracy, Maduro loyalists rallied in the streets demanding the release of their leader calling the event a “kidnapping.”² Regardless of the stance Venezuelans took, one thing remained clear for both loyalists and opponents alike: the capture of Nicolás Maduro marked a significant turning point in Venezuela’s tumultuous history. For many years Venezuela has wrestled with political unrest, economic challenges, and humanitarian crises.

From flourishing as the richest country in Latin America to tanking into an economic crisis, Venezuela’s economy has collapsed over the past decade under the weight of political turmoil and the dependence on the very thing that brought its wealth: oil.³ At the height of oil reserve value in 2012, Venezuela’s nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reached roughly $372 billion.⁴ By 2020, its GDP had plunged to about $44 billion, a dramatic decline from its peak roughly a decade before. In recent years, oil exports have financed almost two-thirds of the government’s budget, proving how vulnerable Venezuela is to any drop in a single commodity and how it can threaten social programs, public services, and the overall stability of the country.

The socialist policies introduced under Hugo Chávez, combined with Nicolás Maduro’s erosion of democratic institutions and heavy reliance on oil revenue, fueled corruption, widespread poverty, and economic instability. ⁵

Maduro’s Rise Under Chavez 

Born on July 28, 1954, Hugo Chavez rose to power as a populist president serving from 1999 to his death in 2013, known for leading the socialist “Bolivarian Revolution.”⁶ Chavez gained support through utilizing oil wealth during an economic boom to support social reform and programs reduce poverty and improve literacy rates.⁷ Despite his widespread support through Venezuela’s impoverished population, his presidency sparked controversy as he increasingly consolidated power and shifted towards authoritarianism, raising concerns for democratic backsliding. During his presidency he used the country’s vast oil wealth to push his agenda and gather public support; however this reliance on oil left the economy vulnerable to fluctuating global oil prices. Over the course of his leadership economic mismanagement, corruption, and declining oil production created instability and structural weaknesses within the Venezuelan economy.⁸

Before his passing, Chávez designated his Vice President, Nicolás Maduro, his chosen successor to lead Venezuela. In a December 2012 televised address, Chávez urged supporters to vote for Maduro, who then became acting president. Inheriting the economic turmoil of Chavez presented a series of struggles for the new authoritarian president who tightened his grip on power by dictatorial rule, without any of the economic leverage to keep the critics at bay. During Maduro’s presidency over 7 million Venezuelans have left the country, creating the world’s largest displacement crises.⁹ His government has been characterized by human rights abuse, imprisoning political opponents, and suppressing protests.¹⁰ In addition, to growing repression and displacement, Maduro’s legitimacy as president was marred by widespread allegations of electoral fraud that undermined confidence in the fairness of the election.¹¹

Following the U.S operation, Vice President and Maduro-loyalist, Delcy Rodríguez, took the oath of office to serve as interim president.¹² Citizens who once believed that the removal of Maduro from power could usher a democratic transition, realize that Maduro’s regime remains and maintains the status quo. It remains uncertain whether this leadership change in Venezuela will genuinely address the issues of governance and economic stability demanded by its people. For many civilians, the realization that Maduro himself was not the root of dictatorship but instead one part of a vast systematic institutionalized problem creates an overwhelming and disheartening feeling that the whole country must undergo serious transformation and intentionally move away from authoritarianism.

Economic Collapse Fuel Protests (2014–Current)

Over the past decade, Venezuela has experienced one of the most severe economic collapses in modern history, largely due to the sharp decline in oil prices, which fell from more than $100 per barrel in 2014 to under $30 per barrel by early 2016.¹³ In an attempt to compensate for the funding shortage, the government began printing money through the central bank, regularly expanding the money supply by an estimated 20-30% per month.¹⁴ This triggered a hyperinflationary spiral, making it increasingly difficult for ordinary citizens to obtain staple goods. Unprepared families paid the price of a government unprepared to manage economic instability and unwilling to reform failing institutions, as basic human necessities such as food, water, and medicine became a luxury. As the economy plummeted and unemployment skyrocketed, social services suffered, and hospitals, schools, and public infrastructure struggled to function.  Today, an estimated 70-80% of the population lives in poverty, a stark reflection of a government incapable of providing for its citizens.¹⁵

Powerless to the insatiable prices of necessities and vulnerable to a government that chooses political control at the expense of public wellbeing, the people of Venezuela grew more fueled to demand reform, as seen through the widespread protests across the nation. Frustrated by daily hardships, protestors find strength in their voice, demanding access to food, medical care, fair wages, and political reform. Students, teachers, workers, and families took to the streets to express their anger towards longstanding government corruption. The government, widely criticized for its use of political imprisonment, responded to rallies with excessive force and violence, including reports of assaults, torture, and sexual abuse.¹⁶ These efforts to silence the outraged public drive a further wedge between the government and the general public, extending the crisis from an economic issue into a broader struggle for political accountability and basic human rights.

A Boiling Point for the Nation 

As basic necessities became scarce and government neglect persisted, frustration erupted into widespread protests across the country, signaling a boiling point for Venezuelan society. Activists, citizens, and leaders continue to fight to rebuild their country rather than surrender to brutal authoritarianism. The transition from Chávez to Maduro marked the beginning of a more repressive and unstable political era in Venezuela. Discontent reached its boiling point: protests, strikes, and civil disobedience erupted, highlighting the clash between a population demanding reforms and a government determined to maintain power. Despite these challenges the resilient spirit of many Venezuelans remains alive and well as they continue to hope for a brighter future for their country. The courage and hope the people of this nation embody shines through public opinion as 83% of Venezuelans expressed positive feelings and over half (53%) supported Maduro’s arrest, according to recent nation-wide survey by Gold Glove Consulting.¹⁷ While for average Americans this problem has just recently been at the forefront, making international headlines, Venezuelans have been dealing with political unrest and mass protests for over a decade.¹⁸ Venezuela has continued to demand reform beginning with waves of protests in 2014 and continuing major nationwide movements.

When Systems Fail, Families Suffer:

Families whose government is not set out to protect them are facing the consequences of the crisis they had no part in. Their world is unraveling as unemployment and shortages in medicine and basic human needs are making daily life a struggle. Blackouts and water rationing affect daily life, schools, and businesses— weighing heavily on their hope for the future.

In Barcelona, a mid-sized city in Eastern Venezuela, the Ruiz family faced the harsh reality of government oppression first hand. A playful pastime between friends turned into a devastating display of how harmless citizens face the consequences of a collapsed system, when Scarlett Ruiz’s 19 year-old brother was arrested under the charge of “treason.” Ruiz’s brother alongside 24 other young men had been participating in a traditional water balloon fight. Quickly laughter and community turned into cries of desperation, fear, and confusion when Venezuelan authorities arrived, fired shots, and detained the boys merely for being on the street. This incident illustrates how government power in Venezuela has extended beyond political opposition to affect everyday citizens, demonstrating that systemic instability places ordinary families at constant risk. Furthermore, the fear these young men and their families face, reflects a broader reality for the public: when a government criminalizes normal behavior, trust is replaced by fear,  highlighting the grave systemic failure.  Many citizens cannot walk the streets without fear of being stopped, questioned, and detained. The result of this is that while many Venezuelans wish to celebrate the removal of Maduro, they are too terrified to admit it out loud, reflecting widespread anxiety about future repression and instability.¹⁹

The Path Forward

The path forward is still unraveling and remains uncertain. However, two major patterns of interactions between the U.S. and Venezuela emerged through the ambiguity. The first being the use of pressure and intervention to influence political change, and the second being continued reliance on negotiation and diplomatic cooperation to maintain stability and rebuild economic relations.²⁰ The United States placed initial pressure on Venezuela through military, political, and economic measures to influence the country’s government. However, after years of conflict both nations turned to diplomacy and recognized the importance of cooperation to maintain stability. Diplomatic relations have been formally restored as of March 2026, following Maduro’s removal, and aims to promote economic recovery, political reconciliation, and a peaceful transition toward democratic governance, though the long-term outcomes remain unclear. Much of the U.S. interest in Venezuela is tied to the country’s oil reserves, with energy cooperation and foreign investment being key priorities.²¹ The renewed relationship, that previously severed ties in 2019, coincided with a series of significant policy changes under acting President Delcy Rodríguez, including the passage of an amnesty law that led to the release of hundreds of political prisoners, effectively acknowledging that many individuals had been detained for political reasons. For Venezuelans, this signaled a hopeful turning point, with political grievances officially acknowledged and the government taking concrete steps toward accountability and reform.²² Ultimately, the future of Venezuela will depend not only on political leadership, but on whether diplomatic cooperation can translate into lasting economic stability and democratic legitimacy

Despite the promising shift in leadership and diplomacy, dangers remain embedded in everyday life. Citizens continue to face economic insecurity, threats to personal safety, and restrictions on political expression. While the citizens face food insecurity, lack of medical resources, and educational exodus, they continue to display remarkable strength and solidarity, showing that resilience persists even under difficult circumstances. And while Maduro’s removal sparks debate over whether a true regime shift will emerge from his absence or if it’s only a temporary delay in continued autonomy, the daily realities for ordinary citizens suggest that instability and hardship persist. So long as the citizens and leaders of Venezuela continue to fight, hope is not lost. However,  for meaningful change to take place, there would need to be systematic reforms and continued reliance on international relationships to strengthen democratic institutions and rebuild stability. The absence of a single leader does not automatically fix a broken system, but it provides a window for potential transformation and growth.