Nicolás Maduro rose from a unionized bus driver in Caracas to the presidency of Venezuela, inheriting power after the death of Hugo Chávez and consolidating it over a turbulent decade in office.
Under his leadership, the nation spiraled into crisis, pushing millions into poverty and driving one of the world’s largest migration waves.
International isolation and U.S.-led sanctions intensified as Maduro clung to power.
___
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
