Amidst a global pandemic, hyperinflation, and chronic food, water, and medical shortages, the Venezuelan Parliamentary election was held on 6 December 2020. Nicolas Maduro’s United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) won the election and total control over the country’s legislature, namely the National Assembly.

The National Assembly is the legislative body that passes laws and authorises the government’s budget, and it was the only branch of the government that was not controlled by Maduro. However, according to the European Council, the election did not meet the minimum international standards for a credible process.

Maduro had previously centralised power in the executive branch, suppressing dissent through fear, violence, and intimidation. In 2017, Maduro created the Constituent Assembly, which effectively rewrote the Constitution—giving him further powers to bypass the National Assembly, which was controlled by opposition parties.

The PSUV has gained control of many key institutions such as the judiciary and the Supreme Court. Moreover, Maduro won the loyalty of the military by giving it control of lucrative industries. With Maduro’s electoral victory, he will now be able to ratify international treaties and sign major contracts with foreign companies, however he lacks support from the international community.

AN ILLEGITIMATE PRESIDENT 

Maduro was first elected in April 2013 following the death of Hugo Chavez. Soon after, shortages, crime, and corruption ravaged the country. The Venezuelan government has jailed political opponents and disqualified them from running for office. In May 2018, Maduro was re-elected for a second six-year term in a highly contentious election causing mass protests, with clashes with the National Guard turning deadly. UN investigators believe that the Venezuelan government has committed crimes against humanity by carrying out “extrajudicial executions, politically motivated detention and torture, and abuses against protesters in Venezuela”. 

Juan Guaido, the opposition leader declared that the election result was illegitimate and has asserted himself as Venezuela’s interim president and leader of the National Assembly. More than 50 countries recognised Guaido as the legitimate president, including most countries in Latin America, the EU, and, more significantly, the US. In return, Maduro severed remaining diplomatic ties with the United States—leading to the United States imposing sanctions on the country as a result, crippling the economy. However, Maduro has remained in power, backed by the military and countries such as Russia, Cuba, China, and Iran. 

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development (FCDO) gave a statement regarding the UK’s position on this matter, describing it as “illegitimate,” whilst maintaining that Guaido is the interim constitutional President of Venezuela, not Maduro. However, Guaido's congressional term ended on 5 January 2021, along with his parliamentary immunity, which means he is exposed to the possibility of being arrested by Maduro's government, placing Guaido in a precarious position. As a result, the future of Venezuela remains uncertain as the current political climate shows that restoring democracy is not on the horizon.

Hannah is undertaking an LLB at the University of Southampton. As someone who is profoundly interested in social justice, her dream is to be able to work in the business and human rights field.

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