Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Nicolás Maduro

How Nicolás Maduro built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Nicolás Maduro is a Venezuelan politician who assumed the presidency in 2013. Formerly the vice president and minister of foreign affairs under Hugo Chávez, his presidency has been marked by economic crisis and political turmoil. In 2026, he and his wife were captured by US forces and charged with drug trafficking, leading to his de facto removal from power. However, the Venezuelan government considers him the de jure president with Delcy Rodríguez as interim president.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1983: Bodyguard for José Vicente Rangel

In 1983, Nicolás Maduro was employed as a bodyguard for José Vicente Rangel during Rangel's unsuccessful presidential campaign.

1992: Joined MBR-200 and Campaigned for Chávez's Release

In the early 1990s, Nicolás Maduro joined MBR-200 and campaigned for the release of Chávez when he was jailed for his role in the 1992 Venezuelan coup d'état attempts.

1998: Elected to Chamber of Deputies

In 1998, Nicolás Maduro was elected on the MVR ticket to the Venezuelan Chamber of Deputies, representing the Capital District.

1998: Founding of the Movement of the Fifth Republic

In the late 1990s, Nicolás Maduro was instrumental in founding the Movement of the Fifth Republic, which supported Chávez in his run for president in 1998.

1999: Elected to National Constituent Assembly

In 1999, Nicolás Maduro was elected to the National Constituent Assembly, representing the Capital District.

2000: Elected to National Assembly

In 2000, Nicolás Maduro was elected to the National Assembly, representing the Capital District.

2005: Elected President of the National Assembly

In 2005, Nicolás Maduro was elected as president of the National Assembly of Venezuela.

August 2006: Flores replaced Maduro as president of National Assembly

In August 2006, Cilia Flores replaced Nicolás Maduro as president of the National Assembly when he resigned to become Minister of Foreign Affairs.

2006: Became Minister of Foreign Affairs

In 2006, Nicolás Maduro became the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

2006: President of the National Assembly until 2006

Nicolás Maduro remained as president of the National Assembly of Venezuela until 2006.

2007: Luisa Ortega Díaz becomes Chief Prosecutor of Venezuela

In 2007, Luisa Ortega Díaz became the Chief Prosecutor of Venezuela, a position she held until her sacking in August 2017.

2008: Diplomatic actions during the Gaza War

In 2008, during the 2008–09 Gaza War, Venezuela broke off diplomatic ties with Israel.

2010: Turnaround in relations with Colombia

In 2010, Nicolás Maduro oversaw a turnaround in relations with Colombia.

October 2012: Appointed Vice President of Venezuela

In October 2012, Nicolás Maduro was appointed Vice President of Venezuela, after the presidential elections.

October 2012: Appointed Vice President

On 13 October 2012, Chávez appointed Maduro Vice President of Venezuela.

2012: Became Vice President of Venezuela

In 2012, Nicolás Maduro served as the Vice President of Venezuela under President Hugo Chávez.

March 2013: Assumed Presidential Powers

In March 2013, upon the death of Hugo Chávez, Nicolás Maduro assumed the powers and responsibilities of the president. He was chosen as the Socialist Party's candidate in the election.

April 2013: Elected President

In April 2013, Nicolás Maduro was elected president, narrowly defeating opposition candidate Henrique Capriles.

October 2013: Maduro's Approval Rating Stands Between 45% and 50%

In October 2013, Maduro's approval rating stood between 45% and 50%, possibly due to Hugo Chávez's endorsement.

October 2013: Creation of Vice Ministry of Supreme Happiness

In October 2013, Nicolás Maduro announced the creation of a new agency, the Vice Ministry of Supreme Happiness, to coordinate social programmes.

November 2013: Maduro granted decree powers

In November 2013, six months after being elected, Maduro was granted the power to rule by decree by the pre-2015 Venezuelan legislature to address the ongoing economic crisis.

2013: Maduro Uses Anti-Gay Attacks as a Political Weapon

During the 2013 presidential campaign, Maduro used anti-gay attacks as a political weapon, calling representatives of the opposition "faggots". Maduro used anti-gay speech toward his opponent Henrique Capriles calling him a "little princess" and saying "I do have a wife, you know? I do like women!"

2013: Odebrecht Paid $35 Million to Fund Maduro's Presidential Campaign

In 2013, Euzenando Prazeres de Azevedo, president of Constructora Odebrecht in Venezuela, revealed that Odebrecht paid $35 million to fund Maduro's 2013 presidential campaign if Odebrecht projects would be prioritized in Venezuela.

2013: Assumed Presidency and won Special Election

In 2013, Nicolás Maduro assumed the presidency after Chávez's death and won the special presidential election.

2013: Became President of Venezuela

In 2013, Nicolás Maduro became the 53rd president of Venezuela.

July 2014: Venezuela restores relations with Panama

In July 2014, Venezuela restored diplomatic and commercial relations with Panama after Vice President Jorge Arreaza attended the inauguration of President Juan Carlos Varela.

October 2014: Maduro's Approval Rating Drops to 24.5%

In October 2014, Maduro's approval rating was at 24.5% according to pollster Datanálisis.

November 2014: Polls Indicate Venezuelans Believe Maduro Should Not Finish Term

In November 2014, Datanálisis polls indicated that more than 66% of Venezuelans believed that Maduro should not finish his six-year term, with government supporters representing more than 25% of those believing that Maduro should resign.

November 2014: End of first period ruling by decree

In November 2014, Maduro's first period of being given the power to rule by decree ended. The Venezuelan opposition strongly condemned the legislature's power that had been usurped by the court.

March 2015: Maduro granted decree powers again

In March 2015, Maduro was given the power to rule by decree by the pre-2015 Venezuelan legislature again to address the ongoing economic crisis.

April 2015: Maduro Sees Small Increase in Approval After Anti-US Rhetoric

In April 2015, Maduro saw a small increase in approval after initiating a campaign of anti-US rhetoric following the sanctioning of seven officials accused by the United States of participating in human rights violations.

December 2015: End of second period ruling by decree

In December 2015, Maduro's second period of being given the power to rule by decree ended. The Venezuelan opposition strongly condemned the legislature's power that had been usurped by the court.

January 2016: Maduro's decree powers by Supreme Court

In January 2016, Maduro was given the power to rule by decree by the Supreme Tribunal to address the ongoing economic crisis. The Venezuelan opposition strongly condemned the legislature's power that had been usurped by the court.

November 2016: Poll Finds Most Voters Would Oust Maduro in Recall

During a recall movement gathered from late-October through November 2016, a poll by Venebarómetro found that "88% of 'likely' voters in a recall would choose to oust Maduro."

2017: Tareck El Aissami Served as Vice President

Tareck El Aissami served Maduro as Vice President from 2017 to 2018.

September 2018: Polls Find Most Venezuelans Want Maduro Removed From Power

In September 2018, Meganálisis polls found that 84.6% of Venezuelans surveyed wanted Maduro and his government to be removed from power. Following the suspension of the recall movement, a Venebarómetro poll found that 61.4% found that Maduro had become a dictator, while in a poll taken by Keller and Associates 63% of those questioned thought that Maduro was a dictator.

2018: Datanálisis Poll Indicates Low Voter Support for Maduro

Before the 2018 presidential elections, a Datanálisis poll indicated that 16.7% of voters would vote for Maduro as candidate, compared to 27.6% and 17.1% of voters that would choose rival candidates Henri Falcón and Javier Bertucci, respectively.

2018: Maduro declared winner of presidential election

Maduro was declared as the winner of the 2018 election with 67.8% of the vote. The result was denounced as fraudulent by most neighboring countries and organizations but recognized as legitimate by others.

2018: Tareck El Aissami Served as Vice President

Tareck El Aissami served Maduro as Vice President from 2017 to 2018.

February 2019: Conflicting Polls Show Differing Approval Ratings for Maduro and Guaidó

A poll from 21 January to 2 February 2019 by Hinterlaces found that 57% of Venezuelans recognized Maduro as the legitimate president of Venezuela, while a Datanálisis poll found that, among the poorest 20% of Venezuelans, Maduro's support had fallen to 18% in February 2019 from 40% two years earlier.

February 2019: Surveys Indicate Most Venezuelans Recognize Guaidó as Interim President

During the presidential crisis, surveys between 30 January and 1 February 2019 by Meganálisis recorded that 4.1% of Venezuelans recognized Maduro as president, 11.2% were undecided, and 84.6% of respondents recognized Guaidó as interim president.

March 2019: Datanálisis Poll Shows Guaidó's Approval Soaring While Maduro's Hits All-Time Low

By 4 March 2019, a Datanálisis poll found Guaidó's approval at 61%, and Maduro's at all-time low of 14%, with Guaidó winning 77% in a theoretical election with Maduro, who received 23% of support.

May 2019: Analyst Says Maduro Is Extremely Unpopular

In a May 2019 analysis, José Briceño-Ruiz said that, based on the Meganalisis poll and other trends, Maduro was "extremely unpopular".

2019: Porras' criticism and economic policy changes

In 2019, Maduro's former chief of staff criticized his leadership, citing a lack of vision. Increased international sanctions in 2019 led the Maduro government to abandon socialist policies, resulting in a rebound from economic decline.

2022: World leaders interact with Maduro at climate conference

During the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference in November, multiple world leaders interacted with Maduro, including President of France Emmanuel Macron. Days later on November 27, the United States eased sanctions on Venezuela.

February 2023: Poll Shows Opposition Candidate Slightly Ahead of Maduro

In February 2023, a year before the 2024 presidential elections, a Datincorp poll concluded that 15.69% of voters would vote for Maduro as a candidate, in contrast to 16.86% that would vote for opposition candidate María Corina Machado.

June 2023: Maduro visits Saudi Arabia

In June 2023, Maduro made an official state visit to Saudi Arabia.

September 2023: Maduro visits China

In September 2023, Maduro visited China, requesting support for Venezuela to join BRICS and seeking increased Chinese investment.

October 2023: US lifts some sanctions on Venezuela

In October 2023, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) lifted sanctions for six-months to allow limited trade with the U.S. to resume.

2024: Year of the next Venezuelan presidential elections

January 2025: Maduro Sworn in for Third Term Amidst Controversy

On 10 January 2025, Maduro was sworn in for a third term as president. Prior to that, the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) described the CNE's statement of Maduro winning the election as "validated" on 22 August.