Venezuelan political history

Venezuelan political history features cycles of democracy and authoritarianism, marked by wealth from oil exports. From the mid-20th century, democratic governments practiced election-based leadership, but corruption and inequality persisted. In 1999, Hugo Chávez was elected on a platform of socialism and reform, shifting power toward the state. Chávez's policies, and subsequent leaders like Nicolás Maduro, deepened polarization, with economic crises and protests reflecting societal divides. Political instability, economic hardship, and dependency on oil have defined recent decades, creating ongoing challenges for governance, democracy, and social equity in Venezuela.