In Venezuela, Maduro Teetering on the Edge of Disaster

In Venezuela, Maduro Teetering on the Edge of Disaster
People wait in line to enter a small market to try to buy items like disposable diapers, laundry detergent and razors in downtown Caracas, Venezuela, Oct. 23, 2014 (AP photo by Ariana Cubillos).

High-stakes political tensions are nothing new to the socialist government of Venezuela. The late President Hugo Chavez seemed to become invigorated by class struggle and the passionate protests it engendered. The strife energized his supporters and fortified the faithful. His heir, Nicolas Maduro, has also faced fierce opposition protests and has responded forcefully, imprisoning the most vociferous of opposition challengers. But the substance, character and context of complaints have changed. The challenge is growing exponentially riskier for the Venezuelan president.

The street protests from regime opponents have quieted down, replaced with something much more ominous for Maduro. Just as Venezuela’s already disastrous economic condition is about to get much worse because of a slide in oil prices, the wave of discontent among Chavistas is growing stronger. More and more leftists are openly questioning whether Maduro is the right man to protect the legacy of Chavez, the leader they have nearly turned into a deity.

The widening divisions within the ruling United Venezuelan Socialist Party (PSUV) have intensified enormously in recent weeks, boiling over in full public view.

Keep reading for free!

Get instant access to the rest of this article as well as three free articles per month. You'll also receive our free email newsletter to stay up to date on all our coverage:

Or, Subscribe now to get full access.

Already a subscriber? Log in here .

What you’ll get with an All-Access subscription to World Politics Review:

A WPR subscription is like no other resource — it’s like having your own personal researcher and analyst for news and events around the globe. Subscribe now, and you’ll get:

  • Immediate and instant access to the full searchable library of 15,000+ articles
  • Daily articles with original analysis, written by leading topic experts, delivered to you every weekday
  • Weekly in-depth reports on important issues and countries
  • Daily links to must-read news, analysis, and opinion from top sources around the globe, curated by our keen-eyed team of editors
  • Your choice of weekly region-specific newsletters, delivered to your inbox.
  • Smartphone- and tablet-friendly website.
  • Completely ad-free reading.

And all of this is available to you when you subscribe today.

More World Politics Review