The United States of America is concerned about the alleged decline of democracy in Venezuela, one year after Nicolás Maduro assumed the presidency.
The Trump administration has asserted that Maduro is not the President of Venezuela, emphasizing that his administration lacks legitimacy.
“One year since Dictator Nicolás Maduro defied the will of the Venezuelan people by baselessly declaring himself the winner, the United States remains firm in its unwavering support to Venezuela’s restoration of democratic order and justice. Maduro is not the President of Venezuela, and his regime is not the legitimate government,” a statement issued by the US Department of State partly reads.
The US links Maduro to the terrorist organization known as Cartel de Los Soles, stating that he is responsible for drug trafficking into both the US and Europe.
“Maduro is the leader of the designated narco-terrorist organization Cartel de Los Soles, and he is responsible for trafficking drugs into the United States and Europe,” the statement continues.
Maduro was inaugurated as Venezuela's President in early this year after the electoral commission declared him the winner of the presidential elections, which both the Venezuelan Opposition and the International Community claimed he had lost.
A BBC report indicates that Maduro promised to deliver peace, prosperity, equality, and democracy during his third presidential term.
"I swear that this new presidential term will be one of peace, prosperity, equality and new democracy. I swear it by history; I swear it on my life. I will keep my word,” Maduro reportedly said during his inauguration speech.
According to the World Report 2025, there have been oppressive actions, targeting of human rights activists and opposition figures, restricted civic freedoms, as well as violent killings and arrests during and after the Venezuela's elections.
It is estimated that over 20 million Venezuelans are living in severe poverty without access to basic necessities like food and medicine. The World Report also indicates that around eight million Venezuelans have fled the country since 2014.
