Protests against Nicolás Maduro and Delcy Rodríguez

Quick Facts: Who was Protests against Nicolás Maduro and Delcy Rodríguez?

Subject:

Protests against Nicolás Maduro and Delcy Rodríguez

Known for:

A chronicle of sustained civil unrest and political opposition against the Maduro regime in Venezuela.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

In 2013, a series of protests, political demonstrations, and civil insurrection began in Venezuela due to the country's high levels of urban violence, inflation, and chronic shortages of basic goods and services. Explanations for these worsening conditions vary, with analysis blaming strict price controls, alongside long-term, widespread political corruption resulting in the under-funding of basic government services. While protests first occurred in January, after the murder of actress and former Miss Venezuela Mónica Spear, the 2014 protests against Nicolás Maduro began in earnest that February following the attempted rape of a student on a university campus in San Cristóbal. Subsequent arrests and killings of student protesters spurred their expansion to neighboring cities and the involvement of opposition leaders. The year's early months were characterized by large demonstrations and violent clashes between protesters and government forces that resulted in nearly 4,000 arrests and 43 deaths, including both supporters and opponents of the government.

Career & Major Achievements

Toward the end of 2014, and into 2015, continued shortages and low oil prices caused renewed protesting. 2016 saw a wave of protests following the controversy surrounding the 2015 Venezuelan parliamentary elections as well as the 2016 recall referendum. On 1 September 2016, a large number of protesters gathered in Caracas to demand a recall election against President Maduro. Crowd estimates vary greatly — the opposition coalition Mesa de la Unidad Democratica estimated that more than 1 million people participated in the march, while the state-run news agency AVN reported a turnout of around 30 thousand. Following the suspension of the recall referendum by the National Electoral Council (CNE) on 21 October, opposition groups began organizing a nationwide protest which took place on 26 October.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Around 1.2 million people mobilized in street marches across the country, according to opposition estimates. After some of the largest protests occurred in late 2016, a Vatican-mediated dialogue between the opposition and government was attempted and ultimately failed in January 2017. Concentration on protests subsided in the first months of 2017 until the 2017 Venezuelan constitutional crisis occurred when the pro-government Supreme Tribunal of Justice of Venezuela attempted to assume the powers of the opposition-led National Assembly and removed their immunity, though the move was reversed days later, demonstrations grew "into the most combative since a wave of unrest in 2014". During the 2017 Venezuelan protests, the Mother of all Protests involved from 2.5 million to 6 million protesters. The 2019 protests began in early January after the National Assembly declared the May 2018 presidential elections invalid and declared Juan Guaidó acting president, resulting in a presidential crisis.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 2013: 2013 Milestone — In 2013, a series of protests, political demonstrations, and civil insurrection began in Venezuela due to the country's high levels of urban violence, inflation, and chronic shortages of basic goods and services.
2. 2014: 2014 Milestone — While protests first occurred in January, after the murder of actress and former Miss Venezuela Mónica Spear, the 2014 protests against Nicolás Maduro began in earnest that February following the attempted rape of a student on a university campus in San Cristóbal.
3. 2016: 2016 Milestone — 2016 saw a wave of protests following the controversy surrounding the 2015 Venezuelan parliamentary elections as well as the 2016 recall referendum.
4. 2017: 2017 Milestone — Concentration on protests subsided in the first months of 2017 until the 2017 Venezuelan constitutional crisis occurred when the pro-government Supreme Tribunal of Justice of Venezuela attempted to assume the powers of the opposition-led National Assembly and removed their immunity, though the move was reversed days later, demonstrations grew "into the most combative since a wave of unrest in 2014".
5. 2019: 2019 Milestone — The 2019 protests began in early January after the National Assembly declared the May 2018 presidential elections invalid and declared Juan Guaidó acting president, resulting in a presidential crisis.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Protests against Nicolás Maduro and Delcy Rodríguez

True or False: “The initial protests in 2014 were solely triggered by economic hardship, with no immediate catalyst involving violence against individuals.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The 2014 protests began earnestly following the attempted rape of a student on a university campus in San Cristóbal.

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• A. P. J. Abdul Kalam — Historical peer (Died in 2015) (2015): Visionary aerospace engineer, scientist, and former President of India.
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• Abbas Kiarostami — Historical peer (Died in 2016) (2016): Master Iranian filmmaker known for blending fiction and documentary styles.
• Agnes Nixon — Historical peer (Died in 2016) (2016): Pioneering soap opera writer and producer, creator of 'One Life to Live' and 'All My Children'.
• Abdul Halim of Kedah — Historical peer (Died in 2017) (2017): Sultan of Kedah and Yang di-Pertuan Agong, a pivotal Malaysian royal figure.
• Adam West — Historical peer (Died in 2017) (2017): American actor best known for portraying Batman in the 1960s and extensive voice work.

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