Crisis in Venezuela - Maduro's ongoing power struggle | DW Documentary

Nicolás Maduro has been president of Venezuela since 2013. He rules the country, which faces grave political and economic problems, with an iron fist. Despite massive criticism from home and abroad, Maduro is clinging to power. Successfully, so far.

Venezuela experienced many dramatic events in recent decades. There was the "Bolivarian Revolution" started by Hugo Chávez, who was elected president in 1998 and introduced a socialist system to the country. There were also attempted coups, violent protests, and severe economic crises — despite the fact that Venezuela has the largest oil reserves in the world.

After the illness and death of Hugo Chávez in 2013, Nicolás Maduro succeeded as president. The former bus driver and socialist set himself the goal of continuing Venezuela's socialist revolution, at any cost.

His rule has been authoritarian. Corruption within Venezuela's state elite and mismanagement are widespread. Years of poor economic decisions have driven the country to ruin under Maduro's presidency. Millions of people in Venezuela are impoverished, and many have fled to neighboring countries.

Yet despite opposition attempts to force him out, Maduro has survived. He was declared the winner in Venezuela’s 2024 presidential elections in July - this, although the parliament had tried to remove him from office in 2017 already. People took to the streets to demand his resignation back then and this year again.

However, none of this seems to have affected Maduro - and following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the resulting rift between Russia and North America and Europe, the international geopolitical situation has changed. The world is more desperate for oil than ever; and a vast quantity of oil is lying dormant underground in Venezuela.

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[chapstradamus]

Why the mexican music at the beggining? it has nothing to do with Venezuela in the 70s...

[AzrenthestHighKing]

He's Survived because no one has Really Tried to get rid of Him.

[DarkShineCCS]

Note to the producers: Mexican corridos are typical music Mexico

[cptbaker]

I love how John Bolton could have chose any analogy for the type of economic sanctions. We applied to Venezuela, but he had to compare us with Darth Vader choking somebody out 😂

[MrRedsjack]

Seems DW completely ignored the fact that Venezuela economy was screwed before any major sanctions hit it. The way the oil company was run meant the Maduro government sucked every dollar possible from it and it's infrastructure was beginning to fall apart. All based on the wrong idea that oil prices would grow endlessly. Zero savings, borrowing even when the oil company still worked and the oil prices were at record high numbers.
So when oil prices fell Venezuela was practically bankrupt, massive overspending, oil company production dropping due to badly maintained equipment, oil spills and lack of spares, debt and unmanageable expenditure. All tied up together with serious corruption and inefficiency. The American sanctions were just one more hit to Venezuela but if they didn't screw themselves financially first they would have likely been able to endure the sanctions much better, like Russia during the Ukrainian war. Russia prepared, Russia saved money, Russia maintained it's oil industry, Russia kept enough gold and other resources to back up it's currency. Even Russia is suffering due to sanctions but nothing like Venezuela. Venezuela was already a broke trainwreck before the sanctions.

[mjaraz]

Germans think that all Latinos or Hispanic countries are the same. 😂 is ok to me Germans and Austrians are the same also.

[SpiritualNaomi]

Thank you so much for making a documentary about my country, I left around 7 years ago and I haven't seen my family since then. It's really devastating.

Thank you for making documentaries in 2 languages.
❤ really appreciate it.

[tomasmena]

It's outrageous how the documentary doesn't hold Rafael Ramirez, Figuera and Diaz accountable for their involvement in the Venezuelan collapse.

[ernestojosemujicagarcia]

This guy Rafael Ramirez is one of the guiltily of this tragedy, also Luísa Ortega . So, be careful who you are interviewing next time . Of course who are detecting power currently are also guilty too . Don't misunderstand me.

[borneyalexander]

Venezuela is such a beautiful country, with beautiful people, good food, beautiful landscapes, rich culture, and many more to mention. Venezuela you are deep inside my heart and one day I'll come and explore you. Love from, South Africa. ♥♥♥

[Waldohasaskit]

The US will always do what it can to promote human rights, democracy and all the western values that lead to prosperity, right up until they need your oil to win the next election.

[Uliseslima-krop]

As a Mexican I approve this documentary

[chicanoinparadise]

I am a Latino against Maduro!! No to any and all dictatorships worldwide.

[MWENDA-vvim]

The USA and Europe didn't have much of a choice. If Venezuelan oil wasn't allowed in the market, oil prices would have shot through the roof and that would mean victory for Russia and death for the EU, and especially Germany. Germany is already in recession today; imagine how worse it would be with higher energy prices.

[ianh]

This is so sad, and I feel like Kenya is headed in this same direction. The issues of inequality, corruption, and lack of access to resources feel all too familiar. It’s heartbreaking to see what’s happening in Venezuela, and I can’t help but worry about similar challenges we face here.

[simplefilemaker]

If two neighbours are at war. USA visited one of them.

[delta]

If he started as a bus driver, how the fuck is it a myth?

[mkcorzouu]

such informed and unbiased guest you invited

[jacobsolace]

Dear dynastic plutocratic families of the USA: Remove your brutal economic sanctions and leave the People of Venezuela alone.

[Ukie]

Venezuela gone from the absurd to the absurd to the insane to the putrid. People allow it, plain and simple.