World Forum

Nicolás Maduro is a former bus driver in Caracas. He was made president of Venezuela by dictator Hugo Chávez, despite his total lack of formal education. This background explains his rebellious character, but not his blind hatred of the United States, his country's best customer for Venezuelan oil.

Maduro is (or aims to be) a bad copy of Chávez, having none of the good qualities but all the shortcomings of Chávez, plus a hopeless IQ. He reacts on slow motion but explodes noisily at his incapacity. Maduro inherited from Chávez his status as Venezuelan President, but has never had to expose himself to an election.

Venezuelans are living through a long and bitter conflict between Chavistas and the rest. Given that Chavistas have been given weapons to help fight widespread crime and looting, it has become common to watch looting of non-Chavista businesses.

The country has been badly mismanaged by Maduro cronies and scarcity is widespread. Maduro is asking Congress to reward him with special powers to govern without limitations.