Maduro seeks to tighten grip via vote
CARACAS, Venezuela — With the political opponents of President Nicolás Maduro boycotting Sunday’s election forthe National Assembly, his socialist party is expected to dominate the vote, giving him control of the last major institution in Venezuela outside his grasp.
The opposition contends the election is rigged and has called its own referendum to counter it. Both votes are playing out in the waning days of the Trump administration, which leaves office with Mr. Maduro firmly entrenched despite its efforts to bring about his departure through diplomacy and sanctions.
Bytaking over the National Assembly, some experts say Mr.Maduro’s United Socialist Party of Venezuela will effectively smother the last remnants of democracy in the country.
“Everything indicates that he will achieve what he has always sought, which is to have total, authoritarian, hegemonic control of all the country’s institutions,” said Michael Shifter, president of the Washington-based InterAmerican Dialogue.
He expects U.S. Presidentelect Joe Biden, who has not hesitated in calling Mr.
Maduro a “dictator,” to maintain a tough position against the South American leader and even refine the strategy further, such as taking steps to work more closely with European allies.
Once an oil-producing powerhouse, Venezuela has been embroiled for years in a deepening political and economic crisis. More than 5 million people have fled the country in recent years, the world’s largest migration after wartorn Syria. The International Monetary Fund projects a 25% decline this year in Venezuela’s GDP, while hyperinflation diminishes the value of its currency, the bolivar.