Venezuela seems headed for a free election, and a chance for change

Under authoritarian rule, per capita income is one-third of what it was 10 years ago, almost one-third of Venezuela’s citizens have fled the country in despair, and there are hundreds of political prisoners.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been waging a defensive and ultimately doomed battle from the day he took power in 2013, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Opinion

BY GWYNNE DYER

July 25, 2024

LONDON, U.K.—There have been plenty of cases where a ruler with dictatorial power just gave up and handed power over to the democratic majority—Chile in 1988, Russia in 1991, South Africa in 1994—and yet people are always surprised when it actually happens.

To keep reading, subscribe and become a political insider.

Only $7.76 a week for an annual subscription.

Enjoy unlimited website access and the digital newspaper.

Cancel anytime.

Already a Subscriber?

Get Weekend Point of View Newsletter

A round up of the past weekâ€™s opinion writers and columnists on Saturdays and Sundays.

By entering your email address you consent to receive email from The Hill Times containing news, analysis, updates and offers. You may unsubscribe at any time. See our privacy policy