Maduro’s firmer grip on power in Venezuela

Abstract

In December 2022, President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela gained a stronger position after the opposition abandoned its main attempt to challenge him. The country recovered from its severe economic depression that lasted from 2014 to 2020, but still faces economic challenges. The emergence of left-wing governments in Latin America, including in Brazil and Chile, has provided a friendlier regional environment for Maduro, undermining earlier US efforts to rally against him. Meanwhile, Maduro's alliances with countries such as Russia, China and Iran continue to play a significant role in the country's geopolitical landscape.