BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – MONTHS after a controversial election secured him another term, Nicholas Maduro was sworn in as president of Venezuela, prompting continued condemnation from the international community.
In July last year, Venezuelans went to the polls in an election where opposition candidate Edmundo González was expected to challenge Maduro. However, Maduro declared victory, a result strongly contested by González’s supporters. Accusations of electoral fraud sparked mass protests, and Maduro responded with warrants against González and several opposition figures, forcing González to seek asylum in Spain.
The global community, including regional leaders, has called for the release of the official vote tally, believing it may confirm González’s victory. Despite these demands, Maduro has tightened his hold on power, ignoring pressure from international allies advocating for transparency and democracy.
The United States, alongside Canada, the European Union (EU), and the United Kingdom, continues to implement sanctions against Maduro's regime. On the day of his inauguration, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced sanctions against eight individuals deemed critical to Maduro’s operations. These include Héctor Andrés Obregón Pérez, president of Venezuela's state oil company, PDVSA, and Ramón Celestino Velásquez Araguayan, Minister of Transportation and head of the state airline CONVIASA. High-ranking officials from the Venezuelan military and police, accused of facilitating repression and human rights abuses, were also sanctioned.
The sanctions aim to further isolate Maduro's administration while supporting the democratic aspirations of Venezuelan citizens. The United States reiterated its solidarity with the Venezuelan people, increasing rewards for information leading to the arrest of key figures in Maduro’s regime, including Maduro himself and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, with offers reaching $25 million and $15 million, respectively.
The EU echoed these sentiments, reaffirming its recognition of Edmundo González as Venezuela’s rightful president. In a statement, the EU criticized the Venezuelan authorities for failing to release verifiable election results, saying, “As the authorities have refused to publish official records from polling stations, the announced results remain unverified and cannot be recognised as representative of the will of the people. The Venezuelan authorities missed a key opportunity to respect the people’s will and ensure a transparent democratic transition with guarantees for all. Nicolás Maduro therefore lacks the legitimacy of a democratically elected president.”
The bloc also highlighted the continued repression of opposition voices, with over 2,500 people, including minors, reportedly arrested during political crackdowns. While some detainees have been released, the EU demanded the unconditional freedom of all political prisoners and an end to arbitrary detentions.
Despite mounting sanctions and international isolation, Maduro’s regime shows no signs of relinquishing power. Venezuelan authorities have dismissed international criticisms, maintaining control through a combination of force and systemic suppression of dissent.
Meanwhile, political leaders in St. Kitts and Nevis, a close ally of Venezuela, have remained largely silent on the crisis.
