With key polls approaching, negotiations to resolve Venezuela’s political crisis are stuck. To avoid prolonging the country’s malaise, the government, the opposition and foreign powers should converge behind a plan involving sanctions relief and matching steps by Caracas toward fairer votes and better-functioning state institutions.
Stepping from Chavez s shadow, Maduro builds power around family, walls off opposition
Alex Vasquez and Patricia Laya, Bloomberg
Feb. 2, 2021
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Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, center, and first lady Cilia Flores arrive at the National Assembly in Caracas on Jan. 12. 2021.Bloomberg photo by Carlos Becerra
Long derided as a bumbling seat-warmer, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is emerging as a ruthless strongman deflecting U.S. pressure; purging rivals; empowering his son, wife and trusted aides; and letting dollars flow to keep his battered economy from collapse.
The result is that the man thought to be the wan face of Chavismo the movement named for his magnetic predecessor, Hugo Chavez is now the robust head of what is increasingly called Madurismo.