Venezuela plunged into political turmoil

Venezuela’s crisis has reached a new boiling point, with embattled socialist President Nicolás Maduro facing a direct challenge from Juan Guaidó, the head of the opposition-controlled National Assembly


Mar 2013: Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez (right) dies from cancer aged 58. Nicolás Maduro
(above) – Chavez’s hand-picked successor – takes office after narrowly winning election

Feb 2014
Opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez arrested and charged with inciting violence after anti-Maduro
street protests

Dec 2015: Opposition Democratic Unity coalition gains majority in National Assembly elections amid mounting frustration over Maduro’s handling of economy, spiralling crime and food shortages

Aug 2017: Maduro swears in new pro-government Constituent Assembly – legislative body takes
over key functions of National Assembly, leading to accusations that Maduro is undermining democracy

May 2018: Maduro re-elected amid allegations of vote tampering. Result declared illegitimate by domestic opposition, U.S. and Lima Group of Latin American governments

Jan 2019: Rejecting Maduro’s swearing-in for second term, Juan Guaidó (below) declares himself
interim president – move recognised by U.S. and many of Venezuela’s neighbours


Source: Reuters 
Pictures: Associated Press, Getty Images 
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