On January 10^th, Nicolás Maduro assumed office for the third consecutive term as Venezuela’s leader. The president and commander of the Bolivarian Revolution has faced coup attempts, mercenary invasions, and US sanctions but continues to hold power as Latin America's most significant challenge to imperialism.

While Caracas celebrated the triumph of Chávez’s legacy, Edmundo Gonzalez ─ a right-wing extremist who claims, without evidence, that he won last year’s election ─ was visiting Panama as an alternative president, supported by the US and global right-wing factions. It is worth noting that Panama, which hosted this sham visit, is currently under imperialist pressure to relinquish control of its canal to Washington. Gonzalez promises to take power in Venezuela within the next weeks.

Months after the comanditos ─ militias tied to US interests ─ unsuccessfully attempted to overthrow the government by spreading chaos across the country, chavismo remains in power in a peaceful and stable Venezuela. This reality contrasts sharply with the narrative perpetuated by right-wing groups, particularly in Latin America. Maduro, a former bus driver turned president, continues to lead the country.

'To defend Palestine is to defend Latin America'

While many South American leaders ─ such as Chile’s Boric, Brazil’s Lula, and Colombia’s Petro ─ have made statements regarding the situation in Palestine, Maduro is the only president in the region who unequivocally identifies the US’s role in the ongoing genocide.

"Defending Palestine and its right to life, independence, and existence is defending the right to existence of Venezuela, Latin America, and the Caribbean," Maduro stated in October, emphasizing that it is “a crucial battle between fascism, colonialism, Zionism, and the right to independence and cultural diversity.”

Maduro follows the legacy of Hugo Chávez, who is often remembered for severing diplomatic ties with the Zionist state after the Gaza Massacre of 2009 and for his declaration, “Cursed be the State of Israel, murderer and terrorist!”, which still goes viral from time to time in social media.

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One week after the onset of the genocide, Maduro pledged to send 30 tons of aid to Gaza. During the Summit of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-Peoples' Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) ─ which unites the anti-US triad of Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua ─ Maduro declared that one day the meeting would take place in al-Quds, Palestine.

Palestine’s flag waved alongside Cuban, Russian, and other banners symbolizing defiance of US imperialism in Caracas during Maduro’s International Festival Against Fascism, a three-day meeting held alongside the celebrations for its victory.

What Maduro really accomplished

In 2014, the US supported Enrique Capriles’ baseless claim that he had won the elections against Maduro. Three years later, Washington backed a coup led by Juan Guaidó ─ a congressman who was self-proclaimed as the country’s president. In 2020, Venezuelan fishermen captured a troop of mercenaries attempting to invade the country by sea to overthrow the socialist government. This attempt, like others, failed.

In 2024, the same scenario repeated itself. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado falsely alleged that she was arrested by police when, in fact, her right-wing rally was being protected by Venezuelan authorities. This false claim spread rapidly in mainstream media across Latin America.

US sanctions against Caracas ─ primarily imposed during Barack Obama’s presidency ─ were devastating, particularly since much of the country’s economy relied on oil production. Venezuela, home to the world’s largest oil reserves, faced severe restrictions on international trade starting in 2015. Trump escalated this policy in 2017 by sanctioning PDVSA and other companies.

In 2020, the US issued a warrant against Maduro on drug charges without presenting evidence. After Maduro’s recent inauguration, the US Department of Justice increased the reward for his capture to $25 million, equating him to Osama bin Laden.

Despite these pressures, Maduro has achieved notable stabilization and growth in Venezuela’s economy. Annual inflation dropped from 107,000% in 2018 to a more manageable 23% in 2024. Venezuela is expected to lead South America in economic growth in 2024 (6.2%), second only to its English-speaking Caribbean neighbor, Guyana, and is projected to grow another 3% in 2025, leading the continent’s GDP growth in the next year.

When sanctions began, Venezuela imported over 85% of its food. Now, the country produces more than 97% of its agricultural needs domestically, with the capacity to export to other nations ─ including supporting Palestine’s solidarity movement. Tourism, industry, and agriculture have flourished, while trade with non-aligned partners is now central to the economy.

Iran’s Megasis supermarket chain has established branches in Caracas, and ties with Russia and China have deepened. The “super-mustache” shows no sign of yielding to US pressures and still is deeply supportive of the Palestinian cause.

For six more years, the US-"Israel"-EU coalition will attempt to suppress Maduro’s Bolivarian Revolution ─ but his resolve remains steadfast. And with the people on his side, it looks hard to stop this bus.