On January 10, 2025, Nicolas Maduro was sworn in for the third time as the president of his country. This event is considered a critical turning point in Venezuela’s political history and has sparked serious international debate. Maduro’s struggle to remain in power is characterized by deepening domestic crises, international isolation and growing opposition resistance. The elections of July 28, 2024, in which Maduro declared victory, have been the subject of great debate both nationally and globally. In this environment, where the government faces an opposition and many international actors who do not accept the election results, the new period beginning in 2025 further deepens political uncertainties and social challenges.
In a speech full of hope for 2025, Maduro stated that a new era will begin in Venezuela in which peace and social tranquility will be established. In his speech, Maduro emphasized Venezuela’s sovereignty and independence and stated that the government aims to overcome the current challenges and achieve economic stability. While these promises represent efforts to find solutions to social and economic problems, they also demonstrate that the integrity of the country will be preserved against external pressures.
The international community approaches these developments from a different perspective. Some countries and organizations have presented their own approaches to the electoral process and have drawn attention to various aspects of this process. International actors such as the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom, Canada and the European Union (EU) have dealt with the resumption of Maduro’s presidency in line with their own political approaches. These countries continue to closely monitor the political situation in Venezuela and maintain their positions on the issue.
Maduro’s vision for the new term includes the goals of economic growth and social peace. The steps to be taken in this process aim to lay an important foundation for Venezuela’s future. Both domestic social dynamics and international relations are key factors that will shape the government’s success in realizing this vision.
Maduro’s efforts to realize his promises will be challenging given the government’s limited resources and international sanctions. In order to address chronic problems such as rising inflation and food shortages, Venezuela needs to increase its domestic production capacity and strengthen regional cooperation. In particular, building closer economic ties with allied countries in Latin America is considered an important part of the Maduro administration’s goal to overcome international isolation.
The July 2024 elections have generated a great deal of controversy inside and outside the country. Venezuela’s official electoral commission declared Maduro president again, but international observers and the opposition did not accept these results. The Venezuelan opposition challenged the election results, stating that it recognized former candidate Edmundo Gonzalez as president and argued that Gonzalez had won. Both opposition leaders and some countries legitimized Gonzalez’s victory, stating that the elections were not fair and democratic.
The US declared that it accepted Gonzalez as president and argued that there should be a change of government in Venezuela. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken harshly criticized the elections, saying, “The Venezuelan people and the world know the truth; Maduro clearly lost the 2024 presidential elections and has no right to claim the presidency.”[1] In addition, the United States has increased its $15 million reward for information leading to Maduro’s conviction to $25 million.[2] This is an indication of increasing American pressure on Maduro.
Maduro’s third term began in the shadow of deepening social and economic crises in Venezuela. In recent years, the country has been struggling with serious problems such as inflation, unemployment, shortages of basic food and medicine. These harsh conditions have led millions of Venezuelans to flee the country. According to Human Rights Watch, more than 7.7 million Venezuelans have left their country since 2014, with around 6.5 million of these migrants settling in other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.[3]
In addition, political turmoil in Venezuela has also increased. In early 2025, the brief detention of Maria Corina Machado, one of Venezuela’s most prominent opposition leaders, once again highlighted the extent of tensions within the country. The Maduro government accuses opposition leaders of organizing “fascist conspiracies”, while the opposition and Maduro’s regime are described as a “dictatorship”.[4][5]
The international reaction to Maduro’s third term has been quite harsh. While the US did not consider Maduro’s reinstatement as “legitimate”, it continued to increase the sanctions against the Venezuelan government. While accusing Maduro of narcotics trafficking and corruption, the US has also imposed new economic sanctions targeting Venezuela’s strategic resources. These sanctions put Venezuela’s already fragile economy in an even more difficult situation.
The EU stressed that the presidential elections in Venezuela on 28 July 2024 were “far from transparent and democratic standards”.[6] International observation missions stated that the elections did not meet “standards of electoral integrity”. The failure of Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE) to publish polling station minutes casts a shadow over the credibility of the election results.
Nicolas Maduro’s third presidential term begins at a time of intense economic and political challenges. While reiterating his promises of peace and democracy, Maduro emphasizes that the government’s efforts to achieve social and economic stability will be shaped by the attitudes of international actors and the local opposition. In this process, the government’s strategic balancing act will be decisive for the country’s future.
[1] “Venezuela’s Maduro to Be Sworn in for Third Term as Opposition Leader Vows Return”, Reuters, www.reuters.com/world/americas/venezuelas-maduro-be-sworn-third-term-opposition-leader-vows-return-2025-01-10/, (Accessed Date: 01.12.2025).
[2] Ibid.
[3] “Venezuela”, World Report 2024, Human Rights Watch, www.hrw.org/world-report/2024/country-chapters/venezuela, (Accessed Date: 01.12.2025).
[4] Spetalnick, Matt, and Marianna Parraga. “US and Allies Slap Sanctions on Venezuela Officials as Maduro Inaugurated”, Reuters, www.reuters.com/world/americas/us-slaps-new-sanctions-venezuela-officials-maduro-inaugurated-2025-01-10/, (Accessed Date: 01.12.2025).
[5] Mack, M.B. “Venezuelan Opposition Candidate Accuses Maduro of Staging a Coup: ‘Crowned Himself Dictator.’”, International Business Times, www.ibtimes.com/venezuelan-opposition-candidate-accuses-maduro-staging-coup-crowned-himself-dictator-3758824, (Accessed Date: 01.12.2025).
[6] European Council. “Venezuela: Statement by the High Representative on Behalf of the EU on Post-Election Developments”, Consilium, www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/08/04/venezuela-statement-by-the-high-representative-on-behalf-of-the-eu/, (Accessed Date: 01.12.2025).
