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Since the overthrow of Gen. Marcos Perez Jimenez in 1958 and the military's withdrawal from direct involvement in national politics, Venezuela has enjoyed an unbroken tradition of civilian democratic rule. This earned Venezuela a reputation as one of the more stable democracies in Latin America. Until the 1998 elections, the Democratic Action (AD) and the Christian Democratic (COPEI) parties dominated the political environment at both the state and federal level.
Since the overthrow of Gen. Marcos Perez Jimenez in 1958 and the military's withdrawal from direct involvement in national politics, Venezuela has enjoyed an unbroken tradition of civilian democratic rule. This earned Venezuela a reputation as one of the more stable democracies in Latin America. Until the 1998 elections, the Democratic Action (AD) and the Christian Democratic (COPEI) parties dominated the political environment at both the state and federal level.
===Decent into chaos, instability, and a military state===
[[File:Nicolás Maduro (cropped).jpg|thumbnail|150px|[[Nicolás Maduro]].]]
By 2017, Venezuela was in serious economic and political [[chaos]], having become a virtual military state and becoming a humanitarian disaster.<ref name="Socialism"/><ref>Kew, Ben (December 24, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2017/12/24/venezuela-2017-socialist-policies-take-humanitarian-toll-as-country-enters-dictatorship/ Venezuela 2017: Socialist Policies Take Humanitarian Toll as Country Enters Dictatorship]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 24, 2017.<br>See also:
*Carafano, James Jay (January 11, 2019). [https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/americas-progressives-are-so-busy-extolling-virtues-of-socialism-that-they-want-you-to-ignore-this America's progressives are so busy extolling virtues of socialism that they want you to ignore THIS]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
*Adelmann, Bob (April 1, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/south-america/item/31905-socialist-misery-deepens-in-formerly-prosperous-venezuela Socialist Misery Deepens in Formerly Prosperous Venezuela]. ''The New American''. Retrieved April 2, 2019.</ref> Massive hyperinflation was present in the country.<ref>Adelmann, Bob (April 17, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/south-america/item/28769-starvation-suicides-increasing-under-venezuelas-hyperinflation Starvation, Suicides Increasing Under Venezuela's Hyperinflation]. ''The New American''. Retrieved April 20, 2018.</ref> Many non-Venezuelan [[liberal]]s had praised the nation's slide into this poor state.<ref>Kew, Ben (May 4, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2017/05/04/ten-influential-public-figures-praised-venezuelas-descent-socialist-hell/ 10 Famous People Who Praised Venezuela’s Descent Into Socialist Hell]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 5, 2017.</ref> However, many of the "opposition" did not want to truly end the socialist policies.<ref>Martel, Frances (May 17, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2017/05/17/former-un-security-council-head-in-venezuela-even-opposition-uncomfortable-defying-socialism/ Former U.N. Security Council Head: In Venezuela, Even Opposition Uncomfortable Defying ‘Socialism’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 18, 2017.</ref> Venezuela's May 2018 presidential election was derided by many countries as a sham and an illustration of its descent into authoritarianism.<ref>Multiple references:
*Llorente, Elizabeth (May 21, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/05/21/re-election-venezuelan-president-denounced-as-sham-calls-grow-for-more-sanctions.html Re-election of Venezuelan president denounced as sham, calls grow for more sanctions]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
*Ulmer, Alexandra; Rampton, Roberta (May 20, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-election-reaction/re-elected-venezuelas-maduro-faces-global-criticism-u-s-sanctions-idUSKCN1IM0CT Re-elected, Venezuela's Maduro faces global criticism, U.S. sanctions]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
*Casey, Nicholas; Davis, Julia Hirschfeld (May 21, 2018). [https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/21/world/americas/venezuela-nicolas-maduro-sanctions.html As Trump Adds Sanctions on Venezuela, Its Neighbors Reject Election Result]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
*Adelmann, Bob (May 21, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/south-america/item/29103-fraudulent-election-in-venezuela-guarantees-more-suffering Fraudulent Election in Venezuela Guarantees More Suffering]. ''The New American''. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
See also:
Mass, Warren (May 23, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/south-america/item/29118-after-maduro-s-reelection-in-venezuela-chaos-worsens-and-exodus-increases After Maduro’s Reelection in Venezuela, Chaos Worsens and Exodus Increases]. ''The New American''. Retrieved May 23, 2018.</ref> In August 2018, the government announced it would deal with its hyperinflation simply by dropping zeros off its currency.<ref>Vyas, Kyle; Castro, Maolis (August 18, 2018). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/venezuela-devalues-currency-and-hikes-wages-stoking-fears-about-instability-1534629512 Venezuela Devalues Currency and Hikes Wages, Stoking Fears About Instability]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved August 18, 2018.</ref><ref>Tennant, Michael (August 17, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/south-america/item/29808-venezuela-s-hyperinflation-solution-drop-zeros-from-the-currency Venezuela’s Hyperinflation Solution? Drop Zeros From the Currency]. ''The New American''. Retrieved August 18, 2018.</ref><ref>Xenakis, John J. (August 19, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2018/08/19/world-view-socialist-venezuela-introduces-fantasy-currency-and-socialist-changes/ World View: Socialist Venezuela Introduces Fantasy Currency and Socialist Changes]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 19, 2018.</ref><ref>Tennant, Michael (August 21, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/south-america/item/29837-venezuela-takes-more-desperate-but-futile-steps-to-save-socialism Venezuela Takes More Desperate but Futile Steps to Save Socialism]. ''The New American''. Retrieved August 21, 2018.</ref> In 2018, 40% of all Venezuelan businesses closed after Maduro imposed a massive minimum wage increase.<ref>Mass, Warren (September 17, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/economy/economics/item/30093-thanks-maduro-nearly-40-of-venezuelan-businesses-closed Thanks, Maduro: Nearly 40% of Venezuelan Businesses Closed]. ''The New American''. Retrieved September 17, 2018.</ref> Long lines existed for everything, even to get a passport to leave the country.<ref>Tennant, Michael (October 9, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/south-america/item/30290-in-venezuela-you-even-have-to-wait-in-line-to-leave In Venezuela, You Even Have to Wait in Line to Leave]. ''The New American''. Retrieved October 10, 2018.</ref> The country saw nationwide power outages.<ref>Adelmann, Bob (March 11, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/south-america/item/31697-nation-wide-power-outages-sending-venezuela-back-to-the-dark-ages Nationwide Power Outages Sending Venezuela Back to the Dark Ages]. ''The New American''. Retrieved March 11, 2019.</ref> Several Venezuelans warned the United States not to adopt socialism.<ref>Kan, Janita (February 6, 2019). [https://www.theepochtimes.com/venezuelans-warn-against-bringing-socialism-to-the-united-states_2792429.html Venezuelans Warn Against Bringing Socialism to the United States]. ''The Epoch Times''. Retrieved February 7, 2019.</ref>
Venezuela's government continued to receive support from [[Russia]] and [[China]].<ref>Adelmann, Bob (October 29, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/south-america/item/30485-china-russia-rushing-to-keep-venezuela-alive-as-crisis-deepens China, Russia Rushing to Keep Venezuela Alive as Crisis Deepens]. ''The New American''. Retrieved October 29, 2018.</ref> Additionally, [[Cuba]]'s Communist regime helped Venezuela adopt left-wing authoritarian policies.<ref>Berwick, Angus (August 22, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/venezuela-cuba-military/ Imported repression: How Cuba taught Venezuela to quash military dissent]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved August 22, 2019.</ref>
[[File:María Corina Machado.jpeg|thumb|left|[María Corina Machado]], the main Conservative leader of Venezuela.]]
Maduro won re-election in 2018, despite banning major opposition parties from participating in the election<ref>Kew, Ben (December 11, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2017/12/11/venezuelas-maduro-bans-opposition-parties-2018-election/ Venezuela’s Maduro Bans Opposition Parties from 2018 Election]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 13, 2019.</ref> and despite record low turnout and serious voter fraud allegations.<ref>Martel, Frances (May 21, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2018/05/21/venezuela-maduro-reelected-with-record-low-turnout-rampant-fraud/ Venezuela: Maduro ‘Reelected’ with Record Low Turnout, Rampant Fraud]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 13, 2019.</ref> He started his second term despite the fact that about 60 countries did not recognize the election results.<ref>Multiple references:
*Adelmann, Bob (January 10, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/south-america/item/31153-venezuela-s-marxist-president-maduro-inaugurated-for-second-term Venezuela’s Marxist President Maduro Inaugurated for Second Term]. ''The New American''. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
*Suarez Sang, Lucia I. (January 10, 2019). [https://www.foxnews.com/world/venezuelas-maduro-starts-second-term-despite-worsening-economic-crisis-growing-international-isolation Venezuela’s Maduro starts second term despite worsening economic crisis, growing international isolation]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
*Kew, Ben (January 10, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2019/01/10/venezuelas-maduro-inaugurated-second-term-world-war/ Venezuela’s Maduro Inaugurated for Second Term: ‘We Are in a World War’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
See also:
*Adelmann, Bob (January 15, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/south-america/item/31193-pressure-building-to-remove-venezuela-s-marxist-dictator Pressure Building to Remove Venezuela’s Marxist Dictator]. ''The New American''. Retrieved January 15, 2019.</ref> Venezuela's parliament, now controlled by the opposition, attempted to remove Maduro from office.<ref>Mass, Warren (January 14, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/south-america/item/31183-venezuela-legislature-wants-maduro-out-brazil-recognizes-guaido-as-president Venezuela Legislature Wants Maduro Out; Brazil Recognizes Guaido as President]. ''The New American''. Retrieved January 14, 2019.</ref> On January 23, 2019, opposition leader Juan Guaidó, a socialist,<ref>Newman, Alex (February 7, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/south-america/item/31425-venezuela-replacing-brutal-socialist-with-more-socialism Venezuela: Replacing Brutal Socialist With More Socialism?] ''The New American''. Retrieved February 7, 2019.</ref> declared himself Venezuela's interim president and was recognized by several countries.<ref>Martel, Frances (January 23, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/latin-america/2019/01/23/venezuela-swears-in-opposition-leader-as-president/ Venezuela Swears In Opposition Leader as President]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 26, 2019.<br>See also:
*Martel, Frances (January 26, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/latin-america/2019/01/26/venezuela-new-president-is-a-socialist/ Maduro Regime, American Left Ignore Socialist Pedigree of Venezuela’s New President]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 26, 2019.</ref>
Many experts and technicians fled the country. During electrical blackouts in 2019, which the government was incapable of restoring due to a lack of skilled personnel, [[Social Justice Warrior]]s began looting shops, stores, and malls. Despite Venezuela's guarantee of [[healthcare]] as a right, people contracted [[E. coli]] bacteria from contaminated water with no technicians to treat the water and a lack of medical personnel to treat the victims.
The situation in Venezuela demonstrated the importance of an armed citizenry – its population was disarmed and thus unable to free itself from Maduro's grip.<ref>Hawkins, Awr (April 30, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/04/30/msnbc-venezuela-coverage-shows-why-u-s-founders-wanted-armed-citizenry/ MSNBC Venezuela Coverage Shows Why U.S. Founders Wanted Armed Citizenry]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 1, 2019.</ref><ref>Byas, Steve (May 1, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/item/32167-msnbc-reporter-s-remarks-illustrate-need-for-right-to-keep-and-bear-arms MSNBC Reporter’s Remarks Illustrate Need for Right to Keep and Bear Arms]. ''The New American''. Retrieved May 1, 2019.</ref> Maduro used violent means to keep control of Venezuela.<ref>Adelmann, Bob (July 9, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/south-america/item/32799-venezuelas-maduro-employing-death-squads-torture-to-retain-control Venezuela’s Maduro Employing Death Squads, Torture to Retain Control]. ''The New American''. Retrieved July 9, 2019.</ref> According to the Venezuelan Prison Observatory in 2019, over 7,000 Venezuelans died in the country's prisons since 1999.<ref>Kew, Ben (July 26, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2019/07/26/ngo-7000-venezuelans-died-prison-under-socialist-regime/ NGO: Over 7,000 Venezuelans Have Died in Prison Under Socialist Regime]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 26, 2019.</ref>
Economists argued that Venezuela's economic collapse surpassed even those of the USSR and Zimbabwe, making it the worst economic collapse not due to warfare.<ref>Mikelionis, Lukas (May 18, 2019). [https://www.foxnews.com/world/venezuelas-socialist-regime-failure-is-the-worst-collapse-in-45-years-worse-than-end-of-soviet-union-economists-say Venezuela's socialist collapse is worse economic failure than Soviet Union, Zimbabwe, experts say]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved May 18, 2019.</ref> Even Venezuela's own central bank admitted the country experienced an economic meltdown under the Maduro regime.<ref>Hayward, John (June 3, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2019/06/03/venezuelan-central-bank-admits-economy-crashing/ Venezuelan Central Bank Admits Economy Is Crashing]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 4, 2019.</ref> The country faced severe blackouts.<ref>Taylor, Luke (July 24, 2019). [https://www.theepochtimes.com/venezuela-struggling-with-new-wave-of-nationwide-blackouts_3015047.html Venezuela Struggling With New Wave of Nationwide Blackouts]. ''The Epoch Times''. Retrieved July 24, 2019.</ref> People resorted to using cigarettes as currency.<ref>Smith, Scott (October 24, 2019). [https://www.apnews.com/a79322863d6643038ef82bff7951e139 Venezuelans buy gas with cigarettes to battle inflation]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved October 25, 2019.</ref> Maduro was forced to resort to using the currency of his main enemy – the United States – to keep Venezuela's economy from completely dissolving.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-economy/maduro-says-thank-god-for-dollarization-in-venezuela-idUSKBN1XR0RV Maduro says 'thank God' for dollarization in Venezuela]. ''Reuters''. November 17, 2019. Retrieved November 17, 2019.</ref>
Venezuela's government sheltered Colombia's Marxist [[National Liberation Army (Colombia)|National Liberation Army]].<ref>Forero, Juan (July 14, 2019). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/venezuela-gives-colombian-rebels-free-rein-11563105600 Venezuela Gives Colombian Rebels Free Rein]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved July 14, 2019.<br>See also:
*[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-politics-usa/amid-colombia-rebel-rearmament-u-s-sees-support-from-maduro-official-idUSKCN1VL0FZ Amid Colombia rebel rearmament, U.S. sees support from Maduro: official]. ''Reuters''. August 31, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2019.</ref>
In July 2023, Machado was banned from holding public office for 15 years.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Alexander Busch |url=https://www.nzz.ch/international/venezuela-abkommen-zwischen-regierung-und-opposition-fuer-wahlen-ld.1761446 |title=Government and opposition in Venezuela agree on presidential elections - but clean elections are hardly possible |werk=nzz. ch |hrsg=Neue Zürcher Zeitung |date=2023-10-19 |access-date=2023-10-21}}</ref> After her replacement candidate [[Corina Yoris]] was also denied registration to run, [[Edmundo González]] now stands as the joint candidate of the opposition alliance [[Mesa de la Unidad Democrática]], who is also supported by Machado. <ref name="El País González">{{Cite web |author=Florantonia Singer |url=https://elpais.com/america/2024-04-20/edmundo-gonzalez-urrutia-el-candidato-que-no-queria-serlo.html |title=Edmundo González Urrutia, el candidato que no quería serlo |werk=El País |date=2024-04-20 |language=es |access-date=2024-04-25}}</ref> If she had been able to take part in the elections under regular conditions, she would have been certain to win according to various polls. <ref>{{Cite web |author=Katharina Wegner |url=https://www.ipg-journal.de/regionen/lateinamerika/artikel/zwei-gegen-maduro-7546/ |title=Two against Maduro |work=IPG-Journal |date=2024-06-04 |access-date=2024-06-10}}</ref>
Machado supports Edmundo González candidacy for President in 2024 after she was banned.
==Famous Venezuelans==
==Famous Venezuelans==