venezuela

Political landscape

Contested 2024 presidential election: In July 2024, incumbent President Nicolás Maduro was declared the winner despite reports from international observers, including the Carter Center and UN experts, suggesting the opposition’s candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia, won by a significant margin.
Crackdown on dissent: Following the vote, Maduro’s government engaged in a violent crackdown on thousands of protesters, which included arrests, killings, and harassment.
- González was forced into exile in September 2024 after an arrest warrant was issued for “conspiracy”.
- Human rights groups like Foro Penal report that over 1,900 people were arrested for political reasons following the election.
- In 2025, authorities also intensified repression against human rights defenders, journalists, and NGOs, with the government approving legislation to control their operations.
Ongoing tensions with the U.S.
- In May 2025, the U.S. reinstated sectoral sanctions on Venezuelan oil exports.
- By September and October 2025, tensions escalated further as the U.S. carried out several strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug vessels near its coast, prompting Maduro to threaten a “state of emergency”.
- The U.S. also doubled its reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest to $50 million, accusing him of drug trafficking.

Deteriorating conditions: The UN and human rights organizations report that Venezuela remains in a severe humanitarian crisis, with millions of people lacking reliable access to essential goods and services, including food, water, and healthcare.
- As of September 2025, the UN estimates that 7.9 million Venezuelans require humanitarian assistance.
- The World Food Program reportedly halved its aid programs in August 2025 due to a lack of donor support.
Recession and inflation: After a period of modest growth, economic forecasts for 2025 predict a recession, with the IMF projecting a 4% contraction and inflation exceeding 250%. This reverses recent progress in stabilizing inflation, which had dropped to 47% in 2024.
Budget cuts: The 2025 national budget, valued at roughly $9 billion at the mid-year exchange rate, represents a significant contraction from the previous year. It includes major cuts to healthcare, social security, and education.
Renewed state intervention: The government issued an economic emergency decree in April 2025, giving the president more power over the economy. In June, it also reintroduced “agreed prices” for some food products, signaling a move back towards greater state control.
Deepening poverty: Over 20 million Venezuelans are in multidimensional poverty, while a national survey indicated that 82.8% of the population lived in income poverty in 2023.

Mass exodus continues: The ongoing crisis has driven more than 7.9 million Venezuelans to flee the country as of May 2025.
Dangerous journeys: As other countries tighten border policies, many Venezuelans resort to dangerous routes, like the Darién Gap, where they face abuse and exploitation.
Temporary protected status: In the U.S., the Department of Homeland Security extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuela until October 2026. However, litigation surrounding the status and the potential for deportations continues.