Maduro never escaped his predecessor's shadow

FROM BUS DRIVER TO VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT

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(FILE PIC)

Nicolas Maduro, who rose from unionised bus driver to Venezuelan president and oversaw his country’s democratic undoing and economic collapse, was captured Saturday during an attack by US forces on his capital.

US President Donald Trump, in an early morning social media post, announced Maduro’s capture.

Maduro’s fall was the culmination of months of stepped-up US pressure on various fronts.

Maduro’ political journey began roughly four decades ago. In 1986, he travelled to Cuba for a year of ideological training, which became his only formal education beyond high school. After returning to Venezuela, he worked as a bus driver in the Caracas subway system and quickly emerged as a union leader. Intelligence agencies in the 1990s described him as a leftist radical with close ties to the Cuban government.

He later joined the political movement organised by Chavez after the former army officer received a presidential pardon in 1994 for leading a failed and violent coup attempt. Following Chavez’ election, Maduro advanced steadily through the ruling party, serving six years as a lawmaker, then as president of the National Assembly. He went on to spend six years as foreign minister and briefly served as vice president.