Nicolas Maduro was born in Caracas and was the president of Venezuela. He was a close friend of former President Hugo Chavez. After Hugo’s death, he became the president. Before entering politics, he had worked as a bus driver and a worker as a union leader.
Over time, he became close to the ex-president and began his political career. Maduro later became vice president and then president. His rule is known for strong political control and for occurring during a very hard time in Venezuela’s history, with many economic problems.
Quick Info Table
| Fact |
Details |
| Full Name |
Nicolás Maduro Moros |
| Born |
23 November 1962, Caracas, Venezuela |
| Age (2026) |
63 years old |
| Early Job |
Bus driver and union leader |
| Political Party |
United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) |
| Major Roles |
National Assembly President, Foreign Minister, Vice President |
| Became President |
2013 (after Hugo Chávez’s death) |
| Elections |
2013, 2018, 2024 (widely disputed) |
| Known For |
Economic crisis, high inflation, shortages of food and medicine |
| Rule Type |
Socialist government |
| Capture |
Captured by U.S. forces in January 2026 |
| Legal Case |
Facing U.S. criminal charges (drug trafficking and organized crime) |
| Spouse |
Cilia Flores |
| Children |
1 son (Nicolás Maduro Guerra) |
| Nationality |
Venezuelan |
Early Life and Education
Nicolas Maduro was raised in a poor family. His father was a union leader and supported left- sect politics. Because of this, Maduro taught about teamwork, workers’ rights, and politics from an early age.
Maduro got admission to public schools in Caracas, including Liceo José Ávalos. He got interested in student politics. Reports say that he didn’t finish high school. Also didn’t go to university, so he didn’t admit important formal education.
Rather than going to the council, Maduro entered political training. He went to Cuba and stayed for a year there. He studied at a political training academy. This helped shape his socialist beliefs.
Union Work of Nicolas Maduro
When Maduro went to Havana, Cuba. The Socialist League transferred him there. He studied for one year at a political academy called Escuela Nacional de Cuadros Julio Antonio Mella. The academy taught about socialist ideas.
While he was in Cuba, Maduro learned from top members of the Cuban Communist Party who worked nearly with Fidel Castro. Subsequently, Maduro was connected to Hugo Chávez. Some reports say the Cuban government wanted Maduro to get close to Chávez while Chávez was still in the army.
After the 1992 achievement attempts, Chávez was transferred to jail. Maduro helped call for his release. He began a political party called the Movement of the Fifth Republic. The party’s motive was to release Chavez.
After that, Nicolas Maduro joined professional politics. Also chosen for Chamber of Deputies and worked as President of the National Assembly of Venezuela.
Foreign Affairs Minister
Nicolas Maduro was chosen as Minister of Foreign Affairs. He was in the party of Hugo Chavez. He has done this job until 2012. After the choices, he became the Vice President of Venezuela.
As foreign minister, Maduro helped Venezuela deal with other countries. Reports say he tried to make good connections with countries that were not friendly to the United States. These countries were in Latin America and also in other regions of the world.
During this time, Venezuela made numerous big decisions. The country stopped relations with Taiwan and chose China rather. They also supported Libya when Muammar Gaddafi was the president. Venezuela accepted Palestine as a country.
Maduro’s 2006 Airport Detention
President Hugo Chavez was in New York for the UN meeting and Maduro was also with him. When Nicolas Maduro wanted to return to his country, he was stopped at the airport by U.S security. The security officers kept him for 90 minutes.
The problem began at the security check. The security stopped him.. The security officers did not do anything after knowing that Maduro is Venezeulen Diplomat. They took him to the room and asked questions.
They wanted to search him and other officials. The officers took Maduro’s passport and ticket for a short time and later gave them back. After that, Maduro stated that it was illegal and complained to the United Nations.
U.S. officials said it was unfortunate, but said he was treated well. Maduro stated that he could not go home that day. President Chavez stated that it was due to his UN speech. Where he criticized the U.S President George W. Bush.
Vice Presidency of Nicolas Maduro
Before selecting for vice chairman, Chávez chose Maduro in 2011 to take over if Chávez died from cancer. Chávez picked Maduro because he had good connections with other leaders. Several officials said that Nicolas can face the issue.
Chávez selected Maduro as the Vice President of Venezuela. Chávez had to go to Cuba for the treatment of his cancer. He also told the country that if he couldn’t continue, people should vote for Maduro as the next president.
This was the first time Chávez named a successor and spoke openly about his possible death. Chávez’s choice of Maduro surprised many because Diosdado Cabello, an important leader, was anticipated to be the incoming chairman.
After Hugo Chavez’s death
Chavez was in the side of Maduro also supported him. As the Cabello seen this he stated that he will support the Maduro. Maduro also has worked as the vice president of Venezuela. He chose Jorge Arreaza the new vice chairman in his place.
Maduro took temporary power and the opposition party stated that he broke some constitutional rules. They said he has no right to take temporary power like he did. Also the President of the National Assembly should have had more authority.
President of Venezuela 2013
Maduro was elected President after Hugo Chávez’s death. He was suitable to stay in power because oil painting prices were still high. The service supported him, and the ruling party and state services stood behind him.
He used his power to weaken the opposing election party. He won the election by a few votes. The opposition party demand for recounting.
The people started protesting and tried to remove him from his seat. The government delayed or stopped these sweats. In 2017, Maduro created a new assembly to rewrite rules, although numerous countries blamed this move.
He latterly held another election with veritably low voter turnout. During his rule, crime, poverty, and hunger increased. Mortal rights groups indicted his government for killing numerous people during police and military operations.
Maduro said his conduct was demanded to keep order, but numerous inside and outside Venezuela said he substantially concentrated on keeping his own power.
Arrest by U.S. Forces in 2026
Venezuelan forces successfully stopped the operation of a small armed group. The group tried to remove Maduro from power. That group was also connected to the U.S security company named Silvercop.
In that group, some fighters got training in Colombia. The Venezuelan government blamed the United States and Colombia. Many attackers from this group were killed, and some were arrested, including two from America.
After that, the Government of the United States said that Maduro is involved in major drug dealings and crimes. They also set high rewards for his arrest. U.S officials clearly stated that they tried to catch him by using secret plants but failed.
At the beginning of 2026, Nicolas Maduro was arrested during attacks by U.S security. Some experts said this action broke international law. Venezuela’s government later said Maduro was still the legal president.
Why did US Attack on Venezuela?
U.S. reasons (what the U.S. says)
-
The U.S. says Maduro was part of drug and crime groups.
U.S. leaders said Maduro and some people in his government helped send illegal drugs to the United States. They wanted to arrest him using U.S. law.
-
The U.S. says it was fighting drugs and crime.
U.S. officials said their action was not a war on Venezuela. They said it was only a mission to stop drug trade and organized crime.
-
There was pressure for a long time before the attack.
Before this happened, the U.S. stopped ships it said were carrying drugs, made stricter punishments on Venezuela, and sent more soldiers near the country.
Other views and criticism:
-
Many countries say the attack was against international law.
Countries like Brazil, China, and South Africa said attacking another country without permission breaks world rules and hurts Venezuela’s independence.
-
Some people say it was about power and influence.
Critics believe the U.S. also wanted to weaken Venezuela’s friendship with China, Russia, and Iran, and to have more control over Venezuela’s oil and politics.
United States Court Trials (2026)
Nicolas Maduro was taken to a U.S. boat and shifted to New York with his wife. U.S security said that Maduro is in jail and Venezuelan government ask for the proof that he is alive. Several people said this action breaks transnational law.
The United States military entered Venezuela and arrested President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. The U.S president they have arrested and flown out of Venezuela. The U.S government said the Maduro will go to court and answer for his huge crimes.
International Relations
Maduro had numerous problems with other countries during his rule. In 2014, he cut ties with Panama after its chairman supported demurrers in Venezuela, but relations were later fixed.
In 2019, he broke relations with the United States after the U.S. honored opposition leader Juan Guaidó as chairman. He also had conflicts with Brazil and frequently used strong words against its leaders.
Maduro stayed close to Russia and worked with President Putin, especially after the war in Ukraine began. Latterly, some U.S. warrants were eased so Venezuela could sell some oil again.
Maduro met leaders from France, Portugal, China, and Saudi Arabia, and asked China for help with trade and space systems. He supported Palestinians in the Israel – Gaza war and spoke against Israel.
In 2023, he held a vote to support Venezuela’s claim over land disputed with Guyana, which increased pressure between the two countries.
There were also several attempts to kill Maduro. Drones exploded near him during his speech. In 2024, police said they stopped another plan involving foreign people with munitions who were indicted of trying to bump off him.
Conspiracy Theories about Nicolas Maduro
Maduro often said that many secret plans were being made against him and his government. He claimed there were numerous attempts to remove him or kill him. His sympathizers on state television also said he was being attacked in his mind and by foreign adversaries.
Numerous people believed he talked about these things to make people forget the real problems in the country, like food shortages and high prices. Maduro frequently criticized the United States for trying to oust him.
In 2015 and 2016, he said the U.S. was helping the opposition to take power. Some Venezuelans believed him, but many did not. Mortal rights groups and other countries blamed his government and said the republic was in peril.
Maduro and his family answered with angry speeches and pitfalls. U.S. leaders lately said they wanted a peaceful change of power, not a war.
Allegations for Drug Smuggling and Money Laundering
Some people linked to Maduro have been criminated for medicine trafficking and plutocrat laundering. Two of his women bastards, Efraín Campo Flores and Francisco Flores de Freitas, were set up and shamed in the United States in 2016 for trying to bring cocaine into the U.S.
They have political passports and were sentenced to 18 years in jail. They were freed in a prisoner exchange. Some high- ranking Venezuelan officers, like Tareck El Aissami and Diosdado Cabello, have been caught for drug smuggling.
The U.S. Justice Department indicted Maduro for “narco- terrorism” and said he assisted in transferring the cocaine to the United States. The U.S. kept a huge price of 15 million dollars for his arrest or any kind of big information.
After Maduro worked for thrice as a president, the U.S. increased the arrest price to 25 million dollars. They said the U.S. does not claim him as chairman. In August 2025, the price was increased again to $50 million, with U.S. officers calling him a major drug dealer. Maduro denies all accusations. Venezuela’s government calls the U.S. claims political propaganda
Personal life
He got married to Cilia Flores, who is also a politician. They have son together named Nicolás Maduro Guerra. Maduro is a Christian and recently discussed his religion. Before getting chairman, he lived a simple life and worked as a machine operator. As chairman, his family became very important in politics, and his wife and son have both been involved in government work.
Conclusion
Nicolas Maduro was raised in poor family. He was a machine motorist and union coadjutor, also he joined politics. He elected as chairman after Hugo Chávez failed. For numerous times, people argued about his rule. Some people supported him, but others said his government caused big problems like veritably high prices, not enough food and drug, and illegal choices. Eventually, on January 3, 2026, Maduro was captured by United States forces and taken to the U.S. to face serious charges.
Frequently Asked Question
What is the Net Worth of Nicolas Maduro?
Nobody Knows the exact net worth of him but some resources says that he has 3.8 billion dollars in his net worth.
How much is the height of Nicolas Maduro?
He is almost 6 feet 3 inches tall.
What is the religion of Nicolas Maduro?
In recent talks maduro shares that he is Christian
Why had the Nicolas Maduro Captured by US military?
The U.S. says Maduro was part of drug and crime groups. U.S. leaders said Maduro and some people in his government helped send illegal drugs to the United States.
