History of Venezuela in Timeline

Venezuela, officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, is located on the northern coast of South America. It includes a mainland area and numerous islands in the Caribbean Sea, covering 916,445 km2. In 2022, the estimated population was 29 million. Caracas is its capital and largest city. Venezuela borders the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean to the north, Colombia to the west, Brazil to the south, Trinidad and Tobago to the northeast, and Guyana to the east. It is divided into 23 states, a Capital District, and federal dependencies encompassing its offshore islands. Venezuela is highly urbanized, with most of its population concentrated in the northern cities and the capital.

1902: Venezuela Crisis

The Venezuela Crisis of 1902-1903 began, leading to a naval blockade by Britain, Germany, and Italy due to Venezuela's defaulted foreign debts.

1903: Resolution of Venezuela Crisis

In 1903, international arbitration at the new Permanent Court of Arbitration was agreed, resolving the Venezuela Crisis.

1908: Dispute with Netherlands and Overthrow of Castro

In 1908, another dispute broke out with the Netherlands, resolved when Castro left for medical treatment and was overthrown by Juan Vicente Gómez.

1923: Comparison to Germany

For 2018 an inflation rate of 1,000,000 percent was projected, putting Venezuela in a similar situation to that in Germany in 1923 or Zimbabwe in the late 2000s.

1935: Highest GDP

By 1935, Venezuela's per capita gross domestic product was Latin America's highest due to oil discoveries.

1941: Reforms Under Angarita

From 1941, under Isaías Medina Angarita, the gomecista dictatorship system was relaxed, and a range of reforms were granted, including the legalization of all political parties.

1943: Introduction of 50/50 profit split

In 1943, a new government in Venezuela introduced a 50/50 split in profits between the government and the oil industry.

1945: Immigration Diversified Venezuelan Society

After World War II in 1945, immigration from Southern Europe and poorer Latin American countries diversified Venezuelan society.

1945: Civilian-Military Coup

In 1945, a civilian-military coup overthrew Medina Angarita, ushering in a period of democratic rule under the Democratic Action party.

1945: Foundation of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League (LVBP)

In 1945, the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League (LVBP) was founded, marking a significant step in baseball becoming the nation's most popular sport.

1947: Venezuelan Presidential Election

In 1947, Rómulo Gallegos won the Venezuelan presidential election, marking the first free and fair elections in Venezuela.

1948: Military Coup

In 1948, Gallegos was overthrown by a military junta led by Luis Felipe Llovera Páez, Marcos Pérez Jiménez, and Carlos Delgado Chalbaud in the Venezuelan coup d'état.

1950: Death of Chalbaud

In 1950, Chalbaud died in a bungled kidnapping, with Pérez Jiménez suspected of being behind it.

1952: Presidential Election Ignored

In 1952, when the junta unexpectedly lost the presidential election, it ignored the results and Jiménez was installed as president.

1953: Name Changed to República de Venezuela

In 1953, the official name of the country became República de Venezuela.

January 1958: Jiménez Forced Out

On January 23, 1958, Jiménez was forced out of power.

1958: Democratic Governments Emerge

From 1958, Venezuela saw a succession of democratic governments, a contrast to the military dictatorships prevalent in much of the region, and experienced a period of economic prosperity.

1959: Guerilla Movements

During the presidency of Rómulo Betancourt (1959-64, his second term), substantial guerilla movements occurred in Venezuela.

1959: Enabling Act Granting

Since 1959, six Venezuelan presidents have been granted the ability to rule by decree in specified policy areas.

1960: Attack on Betancourt

In 1960, Betancourt suffered an attack planned by the Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo.

1960: Creation of OPEC

In 1960, Hydrocarbons Minister Juan Pablo Pérez Alfonso led the creation of OPEC, the consortium of oil-producing countries aiming to support the price of oil.

1962: Failed Revolts

In 1962, leftists tried to destabilize the military corps, with failed revolts.

1964: Guerilla Movements

During the presidency of Raúl Leoni (1964-69), substantial guerilla movements occurred in Venezuela.

1966: Geneva Agreement signed

In 1966, the British and Venezuelan governments signed the Geneva Agreement to resolve the conflict over Guayana Esequiba peacefully.

1968: Caldera Wins Election

In 1968, Rafael Caldera won the election for COPEI, marking the first time a party other than Democratic Action took the presidency through a democratic election.

1969: Administrative regions established

In 1969, the states of Venezuela were grouped into nine administrative regions by presidential decree.

1969: Caldera's First Presidency

In 1969, under Rafael Caldera's first presidency (1969-74), most guerilla movements laid down their arms.

1970: Port of Spain Protocol

In 1970, the Port of Spain Protocol set a deadline to try to resolve the issue of Guayana Esequiba.

1973: Nationalization vote

In 1973, Venezuela voted to nationalize its oil industry.

1973: Venezuelan Presidential Election of Carlos Andrés Pérez

The 1973 Venezuelan presidential election of Carlos Andrés Pérez coincided with an oil crisis, which exploded Venezuela's income.

January 1976: Oil industry nationalization

On January 1, 1976, Venezuela nationalized its oil industry, with Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) taking over.

1976: Oil Industries Nationalized

In 1976, oil industries were nationalized in Venezuela.

1982: Chávez Promises to Depose Governments

In 1982, Hugo Chávez promised to depose the bipartisanship governments.

1983: Devaluation of Currency

In 1983, the government started to devalue the currency to face its financial obligations, causing standards of living to fall dramatically.

1983: Caracas Metro operating

The Caracas Metro has been operating since 1983 in Venezuela.

1988: Pérez Re-elected

In 1988, Carlos Andrés Pérez was re-elected as president.

1989: Caracazo Riots

In 1989, hundreds of people were killed by security forces and the military in the Caracazo riots, during the second presidential term of Carlos Andrés Pérez.

1990: Deforestation in Venezuela

From 1990 Venezuela has been one of the leaders of deforestation due to economic and political factors, with roughly 287,600 hectares of forest are permanently destroyed each year.

February 1992: Coup Attempt by Chávez

In February 1992, Hugo Chávez led a coup attempt, justifying it by the growing anger at economic austerity measures.

1992: Attempted Coups

In 1992, two attempted coups took place in Venezuela amidst major political crises.

1993: Carlos Andrés Pérez Presidential Term

Carlos Andrés Pérez presidential term was until 1993.

1993: Impeachment of Pérez

In 1993, President Carlos Andrés Pérez was impeached under embezzlement charges, leading to the interim presidency of Ramón José Velásquez.

1993: Presidential Impeachment

In 1993, the president of Venezuela was impeached for embezzlement of public funds.

March 1994: Pardon of Chávez

In March 1994, coup leader Chávez was pardoned by President Rafael Caldera.

1994: Banking crisis

In the 1990s, Venezuela experienced a major banking crisis in 1994.

1995: Corruption Perceptions Index ranking

Since the survey started in 1995, the Corruption Perceptions Index has ranked Venezuela as one of the most corrupt countries.

1996: Inflation peak

In 1996, Venezuela's inflation peaked at 100% during a long-running economic crisis.

1997: Fifth Republic Movement

In 1997, Chávez founded the Fifth Republic Movement.

1998: Chávez Wins Election

In 1998, Chávez won the election.

1998: Chávez Elected President

In 1998, Hugo Chávez was elected president, leading to the launch of a "Bolivarian Revolution".

1998: Venezuelan Presidential Election

The 1998 Venezuelan presidential election acted as the catalyst for the Bolivarian Revolution.

1999: Venezuelans Leaving the Country

A 2014 study found that since 1999, over 1.5 million Venezuelans have left the country.

1999: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

Following the adoption of the new Constitution of 1999, Venezuela has been considered the Bolivarian Republic.

1999: Chávez wins Presidency

In 1999, Chávez won and maintained the presidency continuously.

1999: Political inclusion of Indigenous peoples

In 1999, Venezuela's Constitution recognized the multi-ethnic, pluri-cultural, and multilingual character of the country. It included a chapter devoted to Indigenous peoples' rights, which opened up spaces for their political inclusion at national and local levels.

1999: Constituent Assembly

In 1999, a Constituent Assembly was formed, leading to the imposition of a new Constitution of Venezuela.

1999: Jewish community decline

In 1999, the Jewish community in Venezuela numbered 22,000 people. Due to rising economic pressures and antisemitism, the population declined.

1999: Name Changed to República de Venezuela

In 1999, the official name of the country became República de Venezuela.

September 2000: Millennium Development Goals agreement

In September 2000, Venezuela and 188 other nations agreed to the Millennium Development Goals.

2000: Chávez Wins Election

In 2000, Chávez won the election.

2001: Comparison with the census

The 2011 population census by the National Institute of Statistics shows that indigenous populations have progressively increased compared to the 2001 census.

2001: Economic boost and social spending

The recovery of oil prices after 2001 boosted the Venezuelan economy and facilitated social spending.

2001: Limits on foreign investment

Under Hugo Chávez a 2001 law placed limits on foreign investment in Venezuela.

April 2002: Venezuelan Coup d'état Attempt

In April 2002, Chávez was briefly ousted from power in the 2002 Venezuelan coup d'état attempt, but returned after two days.

December 2002: National Strike

From December 2002, an all-out national strike that lasted until February 2003 included a strike/lockout in the state oil company PDVSA.

2002: Relations with US worsen after coup attempt

In 2002, relations between Venezuela and the United States government worsened after the 2002 Venezuelan coup d'état attempt.

February 2003: National strike

PDVSA played a key role in the February 2003 national strike in Venezuela.

2003: Drug Transiting

From 2003 Venezuelan authorities seized the fifth-largest total quantity of cocaine in the world.

2003: Land under conservation management

In 2003, 70% of Venezuela's land was under conservation management in over 200 protected areas, including 43 national parks.

2003: Currency controls

In 2003, the government of Hugo Chávez implemented currency controls after capital flight led to a devaluation of the currency in Venezuela.

August 2004: Recall Referendum

In August 2004, Chávez survived a recall referendum.

2004: Presidential Referendum

In 2004, Chávez won the presidential referendum.

2004: Sewage treatment plants

In 2004, Venezuela had 150 sewage treatment plants. 13% of the population lacked access to drinking water, but this number had been dropping.

2005: Forest cover loss

By 2005, Venezuela officially lost 8.3% of its forest cover since 1990, which is about 4.3 million ha.

2005: School enrollment rates

In 2005, the net primary school enrollment rate in Venezuela was at 91%, and the net secondary school enrollment rate was at 63%.

December 2006: Election for Another Term

In December 2006, Chávez was elected for another term.

2006: Chávez Wins Election

In 2006, Chávez won the election.

2006: Child malnutrition and disease prevalence

In 2006, child malnutrition in Venezuela was at 17%. Delta Amacuro and Amazonas had the nation's highest rates. Also in 2006, diseases ranging from diphtheria, plague, malaria, typhoid fever, yellow fever, cholera, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis D were present in the country.

2006: Manufacturing contribution to GDP

In 2006, manufacturing contributed 17% of Venezuela's GDP.

2006: Economist Intelligence Unit rates Venezuela

In 2006, the Economist Intelligence Unit rated Venezuela an hybrid regime and the third least democratic regime in Latin America on the Democracy Index.

2006: ONA Incorporation

In 2006, the government's agency for combating illegal drug trade in Venezuela, ONA, was incorporated into the office of the vice-president.

2007: United Socialist Party of Venezuela

In 2007, Chávez founded the United Socialist Party of Venezuela.

2007: Refugee and asylum seekers

In 2007, Venezuela hosted a population of refugee and asylum seekers from Colombia numbering 252,200.

2007: Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra at London Proms

In 2007, the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra hosted a concert at the London Proms and received several honors.

2008: Autosomal DNA study results

According to an autosomal DNA study conducted in 2008 by the University of Brasília, the composition of Venezuela's population is 60.60% European, 23% Indigenous, and 16.30% African.

2008: World Refugee Survey

According to the World Refugee Survey 2008, published by the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, Venezuela hosted a population of refugee and asylum seekers from Colombia numbering 252,200 in 2007.

2008: New branch incorporated into Armed Reserve

As of 2008, a further 600,000 soldiers were incorporated into a new branch, known as the Armed Reserve.

2008: Adult literacy rate

In 2008, 95.2% of the adult population in Venezuela was literate.

2008: Cesar Baena represented the country in Nordic Skiing

In 2008, Cesar Baena represented Venezuela in Nordic Skiing.

2008: Crime as a top voter concern

In 2008, polls indicated that crime was the number one concern of voters in Venezuela.

2008: Drug Transiting

Until 2008 Venezuelan authorities seized the fifth-largest total quantity of cocaine in the world.

February 2009: Presidential re-election

As of February 2009, the Venezuelan president may be re-elected an unlimited number of times.

December 2009: Supreme Court president on division of powers

In December 2009, Supreme Court president Luisa Estela Morales said that Venezuela had moved away from "a rigid division of powers" toward a system characterized by "intense coordination" between the branches of government.

2009: Oil Reserves in 2009

As of 2009, Venezuela had significant crude oil reserves.

2009: Cesar Baena competed in FIS Cross Country Ski World Cup

In 2009, Cesar Baena became the first South American skier to compete in a FIS Cross Country Ski World Cup in Düsseldorf.

2010: Increased Crude Oil Reserves

Compared to 2009, another 40.4% in crude oil reserves were proven in 2010, allowing Venezuela to surpass Saudi Arabia as the country with the largest reserves of this type.

2010: Venezuela's Corruption Ranking

In 2010, the Corruption Perceptions Index ranked Venezuela at number 164 out of 178 countries in government transparency.

November 2011: Repatriation of gold bullion

In November 2011, the first of US$11 billion of repatriated gold bullion arrived in Caracas.

2011: National Assembly Member

For the 2011–2016 period the number of National Assembly seats is 165.

2011: Religious demographics

In 2011, 88% of Venezuela's population was Christian, primarily Roman Catholic (71%), with the remaining 17% being Protestant, primarily Evangelicals. 8% of Venezuelans were irreligious, almost 3% followed another religion, and 1% practiced Santería.

2011: Illegal Immigrants

In 2011, between 500,000 and one million illegal immigrants were estimated to be living in the country.

2011: Census data

In the 2011 census in Venezuela, the majority of the population claimed to be moreno or white—51.6% and 43.6%, respectively.

2011: Population census

The 2011 population census by the National Institute of Statistics shows that indigenous populations have progressively increased compared to the 2001 census.

October 2012: Election for Third Term

In October 2012, Chávez was elected for a third term.

2012: Chávez Wins Election

In 2012, Chávez won the election.

2012: Venezuela's Indigenous population

In 2012, Venezuela's Indigenous population was estimated at 500 thousand people, which was 2.8% of the total population and distributed among 40 Indigenous peoples.

2012: Rubén Limardo wins gold medal

In the 2012 Summer Olympics, Rubén Limardo won a gold medal in fencing.

2012: Hosted Basketball World Olympic Qualifying Tournament

Venezuela hosted the 2012 Basketball World Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

February 2013: Currency devaluation and rising shortages

In February 2013, Venezuela devalued its currency due to rising shortages of basic necessities like milk, which led to increased malnutrition.

March 2013: Death of Chávez

In March 2013, Chávez died due to medical complications, and was never sworn in for his third term.

April 2013: Maduro wins presidential election after Chavez' death

In April 2013, Nicolás Maduro won the presidential election with 51% of the vote following Hugo Chavez' death. The Democratic Unity Roundtable contested the election results as fraudulent, but an audit showed no discrepancies.

April 2013: Presidential Election

The presidential election that took place in April 2013, was the first since Chávez took office in 1999 in which his name did not appear on the ballot.

2013: Medical graduates leaving Venezuela

According to Claudio Bifano, president of the Venezuelan Academy of Physical, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences, more than half of all medical graduates had left Venezuela in 2013.

2013: Death of Chavez

Chavez remained president continuously from 1999 until his death in 2013.

2013: Adding dollar reserves

In 2013 the government was forced to add the dollar reserves of state owned companies to those of the national bank to reassure the international bond market.

2013: Maduro Appointed Vice President

In 2013, Nicolás Maduro was picked by Chavez as his successor, appointing him vice president.

2013: Bond rating decreases

In 2013, Venezuela's bond ratings decreased multiple times due to decisions by President Nicolás Maduro.

2013: U.S. infant mortality rate

In 2013, the U.S. infant mortality rate was 6 deaths per 1,000 births as a point of comparison.

2013: Homicide rate in Venezuela

In 2013, the homicide rate in Venezuela was approximately 79 per 100,000, which was among the world's highest rates.

2013: Currency devaluation and shortages

In early 2013, Venezuela devalued its currency due to growing shortages of necessities such as toilet paper, milk, and flour.

2013: Venezuelan Presidential Election

The 2013 Venezuelan presidential election was widely disputed and triggered another nationwide crisis.

2013: Hosted FIBA Basketball Americas Championship

Venezuela hosted the 2013 FIBA Basketball Americas Championship, which took place in the Poliedro de Caracas.

February 2014: Protests over violence, corruption, and scarcity

Beginning in February 2014, widespread protests erupted due to high levels of criminal violence, corruption, hyperinflation, and shortages of basic goods, resulting in fatalities and arrests of opposition leaders.

December 2014: Abandonment of Barrio Adentro establishments

As of December 2014, an estimated 80% of Barrio Adentro establishments in Venezuela were abandoned. Barrio Adentro is a government program to expand access to health care.

2014: Oil price plummet puts pressure on economy

Beginning in 2014, the price of oil plummeted, placing pressure on the Venezuelan economy and its ability to fund social programs. This decrease in oil price led to a lack of reinvestment in the state oil company, PDVSA, and a decrease in oil production.

2014: Venezuela enters recession

In 2014, Venezuela entered a recession, marking the beginning of a period of economic decline.

2014: Protests and demonstrations begin

In 2014, a series of protests and demonstrations began in Venezuela, attributed to inflation, violence and shortages.

2014: Venezuelans Leaving the Country

In 2014, a study found that since 1999, over 1.5 million Venezuelans have left the country.

2014: Rule of Law Index Ranking

In 2014, the World Justice Project ranked Venezuela 99th out of 99 countries surveyed in its Rule of Law Index.

2014: Infant mortality rate

In 2014, the infant mortality rate in Venezuela was 19 deaths per 1,000 births, which was lower than the South American average.

December 2015: Parliamentary elections held

On 6 December 2015 parliamentary elections were held to elect the 164 deputies and three Indigenous representatives of the National Assembly.

December 2015: Fraudulent Designation of Judges

On 7 December 2015, the day after the election on 6 December 2015, Maduro fraudulently designated judges to the judiciary branch.

2015: Jewish community shrinks

By 2015, the Jewish community in Venezuela had shrunk to less than 7,000 people due to rising economic pressures and antisemitism.

2015: Increase in homicide rate

By 2015, the homicide rate in Venezuela had risen to 90 per 100,000.

2015: World's highest inflation

In 2015, Venezuela experienced the world's highest inflation, surpassing 100%.

2015: Venezuela declared a national security threat

In 2015, Venezuela was declared a national security threat by U.S. president Barack Obama.

2015: Opposition gains majority in parliamentary election

In 2015, the opposition gained a majority in the Venezuelan parliamentary election.

January 2016: Maduro decrees an "economic emergency"

In January 2016, President Maduro decreed an "economic emergency", expanding his powers in response to the ongoing crisis.

January 2016: Maduro approves economic emergency decree

On 16 January 2016, President Maduro approved an unconstitutional economic emergency decree, effectively controlling all three branches of government.

April 2016: Rolling blackouts and reduced workweek

In April 2016, the Maduro government announced rolling blackouts and reduced the government workweek to only Monday and Tuesday due to a hydroelectricity shortage in Venezuela.

May 2016: Suspension of constitutional guarantees

On 14 May 2016, constitutional guarantees were suspended when President Maduro decreed the extension of the economic emergency decree for another 60 days and declared a State of Emergency.

May 2016: OAS considers sanctions

On 14 May 2016, the Organization of American States was considering the application of the Inter-American Democratic Charter sanctions for non-compliance to its own constitution.

July 2016: Colombian border crossings temporarily opened

In July 2016, Colombian border crossings were temporarily opened to allow Venezuelans to purchase food and basic health items.

September 2016: Study indicates Venezuelans eating "food waste"

In September 2016, a study revealed that 15% of Venezuelans were consuming "food waste discarded by commercial establishments".

October 2016: 200 prison riots had occurred

By October 2016, 200 prison riots had occurred in Venezuela, highlighting the deteriorating conditions within the country's correctional facilities.

2016: Increased Corruption Ranking

By 2016, Venezuela's rank in the Corruption Perceptions Index had increased to 166 out of 178 countries.

2016: National Assembly Member

For the 2011–2016 period the number of National Assembly seats is 165.

2016: Per capita GDP

In 2016, Venezuela's per capita GDP was estimated to be US$15,100, ranking 109th in the world.

2016: Economic depression

In 2016, consumer prices in Venezuela increased 800% and the economy declined by 18.6%, entering an economic depression.

March 2017: Gasoline shortages

In March 2017, Venezuela began having shortages of gasoline in some regions.

March 2017: Supreme Court takes over law making powers

In March 2017, the Venezuelan Supreme Court initially took over law making powers from the National Assembly but reversed its decision the following day.

April 2017: Venezuela announces intention to withdraw from OAS

On 26 April 2017, Venezuela announced its intention to withdraw from the Organization of American States (OAS).

August 2017: Constituent National Assembly elected

In August 2017, the 2017 Constituent National Assembly was elected and stripped the National Assembly of its powers, raising concerns of an emerging dictatorship.

December 2017: Opposition parties barred from presidential vote

In December 2017, President Maduro declared opposition parties barred from the following year's presidential vote after they boycotted mayoral polls.

2017: Default on Debt Payments

By 2017, Venezuela was declared to be in default regarding debt payments by credit rating agencies.

2017: Human Rights Watch criticism

In 2017, Human Rights Watch noted that the Chavez and subsequently the Maduro government in Venezuela have increasingly concentrated power in the executive branch, eroded constitutional human rights protections and allowed the government to persecute and repress its critics and opposition.

2017: Negative outlook by bond-rating services

In 2017, Venezuela's outlook was deemed negative by most bond-rating services.

2017: Venezuela downgraded to an authoritarian regime

In 2017, the Democracy Index downgraded Venezuela to an authoritarian regime, citing continued increasingly dictatorial behaviors by the Maduro government.

2017: US imposes economic sanctions

In 2017, the Donald Trump administration imposed more economic sanctions against PDVSA and Venezuelan officials.

2017: Arms diversion to paramilitary groups

In 2017, the Financial Times noted that some of the arms procured by the Venezuelan government over the previous two decades had been diverted to paramilitary civilian groups and criminal syndicates.

2018: School dropout rate

By 2018, over half of all Venezuelan children had dropped out of school, with 58% of students quitting nationwide. Additionally, about 93% of schools did not meet the minimum requirements to operate and 77% did not have utilities such as food, water or electricity.

2018: Projected hyperinflation

For 2018 an inflation rate of 1,000,000 percent was projected, putting Venezuela in a similar situation to that in Germany in 1923 or Zimbabwe in the late 2000s.

2018: Lack of adequate sanitation

In 2018, 32% of Venezuelans lacked adequate sanitation, primarily those living in rural areas.

2018: Maduro wins election, result challenged

In 2018, Nicolás Maduro won the election with 68% of the vote; however, the result was challenged by several countries, deeming it fraudulent, and they recognized Juan Guaidó as president.

2018: Enforced disappearances occurred

In June 2020, a report documented enforced disappearances that occurred in 2018–19, with 724 cases reported. The report stated that security forces subjected victims to torture to silence opponents.

August 2019: US imposes economic embargo

In August 2019, the Trump administration imposed an economic embargo against Venezuela.

March 2020: Trump indicts Maduro and officials

In March 2020, Donald Trump indicted Nicolás Maduro and Venezuelan officials on charges of drug trafficking, narcoterrorism, and corruption.

June 2020: Report documents enforced disappearances

2021: Total population in 2021

According to the 2022 revision, the total population in Venezuela was 28,199,867 in 2021.

2021: Hydroelectricity dependence

In 2021, hydroelectricity accounted for 64% of Venezuela's electricity generation.

2021: Obesity prevalence

In 2021, obesity was prevalent in approximately 30% of the adult population of Venezuela.

2022: World Population Prospects Revision

According to the 2022 revision of the World Population Prospects the total population was 28,199,867 in 2021.

2022: Population Estimated

In 2022, Venezuela's population was estimated at 29 million.

February 2024: UN special rapporteur visit

In February 2024, a UN special rapporteur visited Venezuela.

2024: Economic decline and humanitarian crisis

As of 2024, Venezuela's GDP has fallen by 80 percent in less than a decade, leading to a massive exodus of citizens and severe shortages of basic necessities.

2024: Maduro runs for third term in election

In 2024, Nicolás Maduro ran for a third consecutive term in the presidential election. After the government-controlled CNE announced partial results showing a narrow Maduro victory on July 29, world leaders predominantly expressed skepticism of the claimed results.