Nicolás Maduro takes office for third term in Venezuela amid political tensions

On Friday, January 10, Nicolás Maduro formally assumed a third term as president of Venezuela, following elections that have been the subject of controversy both inside and outside the country. According to The New York Times (2025), the swearing-in ceremony took place in Caracas, where the president promised a period of “peace, prosperity, equality and new democracy”. However, the event has been questioned by opposition sectors and international governments, which allege irregularities in the elections of July 28, 2024.

The Venezuelan opposition claims that Edmundo González, candidate backed by an anti-Chavez coalition, obtained the majority of the votes. According to BBC News Mundo (2025), the minutes published by the opposition indicate that González won with about 70% of the votes, while the National Electoral Council (CNE), controlled by the ruling party, declared Maduro the winner with 52%. This disagreement has generated an international rejection of the electoral result and Maduro's inauguration, with countries such as the United States and the European Union reaffirming their support to Gonzalez as legitimate president.

The event also reflected a remarkable diplomatic isolation. Although representatives from Russia, Iran, China, Cuba and Nicaragua attended, most Latin American leaders, including Gustavo Petro of Colombia and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil, chose not to participate. This absence underscores the divisions generated by Maduro's government in the region, even among countries that have traditionally maintained positions close to the Venezuelan government.

Domestically, the situation has been marked by increased repression and arrests. The New York Times (2025) reported that, in recent months, the government has intensified control over the opposition and civil society, with arrests of protesters, political leaders and ordinary citizens. According to the watchdog group Foro Penal, foreigners have also been detained, which some analysts interpret as a strategy to negotiate with other countries, especially the United States.

BBC News Mundo (2025) reported that recent protests, although less massive due to the climate of repression, show that discontent is still present. During the swearing-in ceremony, the opposition organized demonstrations in different cities, while Gonzalez, from exile, called on the Armed Forces to disavow what he considers a “coup d'état”.

Maduro's third term in office comes in a context of political, economic and social challenges that continue to generate uncertainty in the country. While opposition sectors vow to keep up the pressure for political change, the government continues to face international criticism and economic sanctions.

References

1. The New York Times. "Nicolás Maduro, acusado de robar las elecciones en Venezuela, asume su tercer mandato". Publicado el 10 de enero de 2025. Disponible en: nytimes.com.

2. BBC News Mundo. "Maduro se juramenta por tercera vez como presidente de Venezuela y la oposición lo acusa de consolidar un 'golpe de Estado'". Publicado el 10 de enero de 2025. Disponible en: bbc.com.