Venezuela Faces Tension Over Maduro’s Third Term

A highly contentious swearing-in ceremony that took place on January 10, denounced by opposition leaders as a “coup d’état,” has allowed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to secure another term in office. The event, held in a secondary chamber of the National Assembly (a venue unused for such ceremonies since Hugo Chávez’s 1999 inauguration), can be viewed as an attempt by the fractured assembly to provide legitimacy to the contested presidential election of last May, which granted Maduro another term under highly disputed circumstances.

The ceremony saw National Assembly leader Jorge Rodríguez formally swear in Maduro, prompting applause from attendees. Present to demonstrate their unwavering support were Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, along with representatives from China and Russia—key international allies of Maduro’s regime. While this display of solidarity underscored Maduro’s strategic alliances, numerous Venezuelans, along with international observers, viewed his continued rule as illegitimate, citing widespread allegations of electoral fraud.

The global response has been largely critical. The United States, alongside several other nations, reaffirmed its recognition of Edmundo González as the legitimate president-elect. In response to the disputed inauguration, the U.S. extended Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans, imposed additional sanctions on Maduro-aligned officials, and increased rewards for information leading to the arrests of Maduro and Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello. Similar measures were implemented by the European Union, Canada, and the United Kingdom, with all condemning the inauguration as an example of a lack of democracy.

Opposition leaders have continued their defiance, with protests erupting across Caracas and other cities. On the eve of the inauguration, opposition figure María Corina Machado addressed a large crowd of demonstrators, delivering a scathing critique of Maduro’s government and denouncing the ceremony as a political farce. Her ability to galvanize widespread opposition marked one of the largest shows of resistance in recent memory, signaling a reinvigoration of anti-Maduro sentiment.

Meanwhile, Edmundo González, who has been in exile since September, had intended to return to Venezuela to directly contest the inauguration. However, citing security concerns, he postponed his plans. Speaking from the Dominican Republic, González reiterated his commitment to assuming the presidency in alignment with the constitution and with what he described as the genuine will of the Venezuelan people.

As Venezuela enters Maduro’s third term, the country faces intensifying political and economic challenges. Maduro’s government remains characterized by domestic unrest, international sanctions, and growing isolation. While his administration struggles to maintain its grip on power, the opposition also appears entrenched in its own internal struggles, unable to create a viable political alternative. With both sides seemingly locked in a protracted stalemate, the prospects for reconciliation, democratic reform and meaningful change in Venezuela remain uncertain.

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