Venezuela’s political shifts reveal stark changes over time.
In January 1958, Venezuelan citizens overthrew Marcos Pérez Jiménez, ending a dictatorship that had ruled the country since 1952. The removal of the regime ushered in the country’s longest-standing democratic period, which continued for four decades until the rise of Hugo Chávez. Chávez’s administration and the following Nicolás Maduro administration are reported to have reinstated restrictions on political dissent, contributing to a constitutional crisis and widespread economic hardship.
Venezuelan migration has increased markedly, with millions leaving the country in search of refuge. Many Venezuelans received Temporary Protected Status in the United States, a protection that was revoked during President Donald Trump’s second administration, exposing hundreds of thousands to potential deportation.
The Trump administration recognised Juan Guaidó’s 2019 claim to the interim presidency. It also terminated TIPS protections for Venezuelans, designated Maduro as a foreign terrorist organization, and reportedly conducted attacks on Venezuelan‑owned oil tankers and threatened a land assault. James Martin, a former Coast Guard officer and congressional candidate, publicly linked these actions to accusations that Venezuelans facilitate fentanyl trafficking, while noting that Mexico is the principal producer of that drug.
Congress has not declared war on Venezuela, and the United States has no formal declaration of armed conflict there. The actions described are presented as presidential policy and executive decisions, not as wartime measures.