Nicolás Maduro was born on November 23, 1962, in Caracas, Venezuela. He grew up in a working-class family. His father was a union leader. As a young man, Maduro worked as a bus driver for the Caracas Metro system. He became active in labor unions during this time.
In the 1980s, Maduro joined socialist groups. He supported Hugo Chávez, who later became president. Maduro helped organize workers and took part in political activities. In 1992, when Chávez tried to take power in a failed coup, Maduro backed him from the outside.
After Chávez won the presidency in 1998, Maduro entered politics. He won a seat in the National Assembly in 2000. He served there until 2005. Then, he became the speaker of the assembly. In 2006, Chávez made him foreign minister.
In 2012, Chávez named Maduro as vice president. Chávez had cancer and died on March 5, 2013. Maduro became acting president. A special election was held in April 2013. Maduro won with 50.6% of the votes.
Maduro won re-election in 2018 with 67.8% of the vote. In 2019, opposition leader Juan Guaidó declared himself interim president. Maduro stayed in power with support from the military.
In 2024, another election took place. Maduro claimed victory with 51% of the votes.
During Maduro’s time in office, some supporters said he kept social programs and raised wages. Oil production also rose slightly in 2022 and 2023. But these points were debated, and the country still faced high inflation and a shrinking economy.
In early 2025 U.S. officials announced the reimposition of sanctions that had been partially eased by the Biden administration in late 2023. These targeted Venezuela’s energy sector. Maduro responded by portraying the renewed sanctions as evidence of U.S. imperialism, and he deepened ties with geopolitical allies.
On January 3, 2026, U.S. forces captured Maduro in Caracas. They flew him to New York. He faces charges there, including drug trafficking and corruption.
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