Nicolás Maduro Moros, born on November 23, 1962, in Caracas, Venezuela, is a Venezuelan politician who has served as the president of Venezuela since April 2013. He rose to power following the death of long-time president Hugo Chávez, initially becoming interim president and then winning a special election later that year. Before his presidency, Maduro was a bus driver and union leader, gaining experience as a labor organizer, and later held key political roles including speaker of the National Assembly and minister of foreign affairs under Chávez[1][2]. Maduro is a prominent figure of *chavismo*, the political ideology established by Chávez, and has been the leader of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV). His administration has been marked by severe economic challenges, including hyperinflation, shortages of basic goods, and a collapse in public services, which have contributed to widespread social unrest and protests. Critics accuse his government of authoritarianism, human rights abuses, and corruption, while Maduro and his supporters attribute Venezuela's crises largely to international sanctions and external interference[1][2][3]. Internationally, Maduro's legitimacy has been contested, with numerous countries and organizations refusing to recognize his presidency following disputed elections in 2018 and 2024. His government is known for tight control over the economy and media, with reports of repression against opposition parties and independent press. In recent years, allegations of corruption involving Maduro's family and close associates have surfaced, including high-profile criminal convictions related to drug trafficking schemes linked to his inner circle[3]. Despite ongoing political isolation and economic hardship, Nicolás Maduro remains in power as of late 2025, maintaining his position through the support of Venezuela’s military and loyalist institutions, continuing to assert his leadership amid persistent domestic and international challenges[1][2][3][4].