Many of the political and economic problems that currently afflict Venezuela stem from issues that began under Chávez’s rule.

Political and Economic Problems Under Chávez (1999-2013)

Maduro exacerbated Chávez’s authoritarian policies and allowed the Venezuelan economy to collapse in recent years.

Political and Economic Problems Under Maduro (2013 to present)

The current crisis in Venezuela affects all levels of Venezuelan society. Political problems began under Hugo Chávez and have been exacerbated by Nicolás Maduro, who has also overseen a large-scale economic crisis over the past several years.

Wesleyan University

Venezuela’s current crisis is a direct result of both the political developments of Chavismo and the country’s historical dependence on oil. Chávez—who rose to power through the Bolivarian Revolution—deteriorated Venezuelan democracy before his predecessor—current President Maduro—transformed the country into a full-blown dictatorship. Additionally, Venezuela’s historical dependence on oil has caught up with it, resulting in several years of a worsening recession amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the desperate situation, however, Venezuelans have not joined forces in a united revolution.

An Overview of the Venezuelan Crisis

Both Venezuela’s political and economic history help to explain the current crisis and lack of a revolution.

The Historical Context of the Venezuelan Crisis

The Crisis in Venezuela, from 1999 to Present

The current crisis afflicting Venezuela involves a swath of economic problems, a refugee crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the intersecting set of issues, there has not yet been a revolution aimed at overthrowing Chavismo.

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