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 has served as the 53rd president of Venezuela since 2013. Prior to his presidency, Maduro held several prominent political positions, including Vice President (2012-2013), Minister of Foreign Affairs (2006-2012), and President of the National Assembly (2005-2006). His political career began as a union leader before transitioning into government roles.

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 the Venezuelan Chamber of Deputies

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

1998: Instrumental in Founding 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 the National Constituent Assembly

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

2000: Elected to the National Assembly

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

2005: President of the National Assembly

From 2005 to 2006, Nicolás Maduro served as President of the National Assembly.

2005: Elected as Speaker of the National Assembly

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

August 2006: Cilia Flores replaces Maduro as president of the National Assembly

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

2006: Minister of Foreign Affairs

From 2006 to 2012, Nicolás Maduro served as Minister of Foreign Affairs under Hugo Chávez.

2006: Served as Speaker of the National Assembly

Until 2006, Nicolás Maduro served as Speaker of the National Assembly.

2007: Luisa Ortega became Chief Prosecutor of Venezuela

Luisa Ortega Díaz served as the Chief Prosecutor of Venezuela from 2007 until August 2017.

2008: Foreign policy decisions

In 2008 during Nicolás Maduro's term, there was a turn around in relations with Colombia and Ecuador, as well as breaking off diplomatic ties with Israel during the 2008-09 Gaza War.

2010: Foreign policy decisions

In 2010 during Nicolás Maduro's term, there was another turn around 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, Hugo Chávez appointed Nicolás Maduro as Vice President of Venezuela, shortly after Chávez's victory in that month's presidential election.

December 2012: Chávez Announced Maduro as Successor

On 8 December 2012, Hugo Chávez announced that his recurring cancer had returned and that, should his condition worsen and a new presidential election be called, Venezuelans should vote for Nicolás Maduro to succeed him.

2012: Vice President

From 2012 to 2013, Nicolás Maduro served as Vice President under Hugo Chávez.

2012: Became Vice President of Venezuela

In 2012, Nicolás Maduro became the 24th vice president of Venezuela.

March 2013: Assumed the Presidency After Chávez's Death

In March 2013, after Hugo Chávez's death was announced, Nicolás Maduro assumed the presidency of Venezuela.

March 2013: Assumed Presidential Powers

In March 2013, upon the death of Hugo Chávez, Nicolás Maduro assumed the powers and responsibilities of the president of Venezuela.

April 2013: Maduro Elected President

In April 2013, Nicolás Maduro was elected president of Venezuela, narrowly defeating opposition candidate Henrique Capriles. The election results were contested, with Capriles demanding a recount.

October 2013: Creation of Vice Ministry of Supreme Happiness

In October 2013, Nicolás Maduro announced the creation of the Vice Ministry of Supreme Happiness to coordinate social programs in Venezuela.

November 2013: Maduro Granted Power to Rule by Decree

Beginning six months after being elected, from 19 November 2013 to 19 November 2014, Maduro was granted the power to rule by decree by the pre-2015 Venezuelan legislature to address the ongoing economic crisis.

2013: Succession to the presidency

In 2013 Nicolas Maduro's succession to the presidency was due to mechanisms established by Chavez.

2013: Odebrecht executive reveals funding of Maduro's 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 in exchange for prioritized projects in Venezuela. Maduro's campaign manager, Americo Mata, initially asked for $50 million, but the final sum was settled at $35 million.

2013: Became President of Venezuela

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

November 2014: End of First Decree Power Period

On 19 November 2014, the period in which Maduro was granted power to rule by decree by the pre-2015 Venezuelan legislature ended.

March 2015: Maduro Granted Power to Rule by Decree Again

From 15 March 2015 to 31 December 2015, Maduro was again granted the power to rule by decree by the pre-2015 Venezuelan legislature to address the ongoing economic crisis.

December 2015: End of Second Decree Power Period

On 31 December 2015, the period in which Maduro was granted power to rule by decree by the pre-2015 Venezuelan legislature ended.

2015: Began Ruling by Decree

Since 2015, Nicolás Maduro has ruled Venezuela by decree, using powers granted by the ruling party legislature.

January 2016: Supreme Tribunal Grants Maduro Decree Power

Starting on 15 January 2016, the Supreme Tribunal granted Maduro decree power to address the economic crisis, a move condemned by the Venezuelan opposition.

May 2017: Maduro Proposes Constituent Assembly Election

In May 2017, Nicolás Maduro proposed the 2017 Venezuelan Constituent Assembly election, which faced wide international condemnation.

July 2017: Constituent Assembly Election and US Sanctions

On 30 July 2017, the Venezuelan Constituent Assembly election was held despite international condemnation. Following this election, the United States sanctioned Maduro, labeling him a "dictator".

2017: Tareck El Aissami served Maduro

Tareck El Aissami served Maduro as ex-Venezuelan vice president from 2017 to 2018.

May 2018: Presidential Elections

On 20 May 2018, presidential elections were held in Venezuela.

December 2018: Presidential Elections Scheduled for December 2018

The Venezuelan presidential elections were originally scheduled for December 2018, but were subsequently moved forward to April and then May of 2018.

2018: Maduro declared winner of election; result disputed.

In 2018, Maduro was declared the winner of the election with 67.8% of the vote. The result was denounced as fraudulent by most neighboring countries and organizations such as the European Union and the Organization of American States. However, other countries like Mexico, Bolivia, Cuba, Suriname, Nicaragua, South Africa, China, Russia, North Korea, and Turkey recognized the election as legitimate.

2018: Tareck El Aissami served Maduro

Tareck El Aissami served Maduro as ex-Venezuelan vice president from 2017 to 2018.

January 2019: Maduro Sworn In Amidst Condemnation and Guaido Declared Interim President

On 10 January 2019, Nicolás Maduro was sworn in as president amidst widespread condemnation. Minutes later, the OAS declared his presidency illegitimate. On 23 January 2019, Juan Guaidó was declared interim president, supported by several countries, while Russia, China, and Cuba supported Maduro.

2019: Porras's assessment of Maduro

In 2019 Temir Porras, a visiting professor at Paris Institute of Political Studies who was Maduro's chief of staff during his tenure as foreign minister, said that in the early days of Chavismo, Maduro was considered pragmatic and a very skilled politician who was good at negotiating and bargaining.

2019: Criticism from Former Chief of Staff and Economic Policy Shifts

In 2019, Maduro's former chief of staff criticized his leadership. However, the Maduro government also abandoned socialist policies due to increased international sanctions, leading to an economic rebound. The Economist noted income from gold and narcotics sales.