Research Article

Venezuela from Chávez to Maduro: State Capacity, Economic Collapse, and the Re-Shaping of US’ Regional Strategy

Number: 19 May 31, 2026
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Venezuela from Chávez to Maduro: State Capacity, Economic Collapse, and the Re-Shaping of US’ Regional Strategy

Abstract

This article analyses Venezuela’s deepening political, economic, and social crisis since the Chávez era through a holistic perspective, focusing on the historical background and regional impacts of the ongoing situation. The main aim of the study is to assess the effects of oil revenue-driven populist distribution, processes of authoritarian consolidation, structural causes of economic collapse, and the mass migration these factors have triggered across Latin America. The article addresses the following research questions: first, through which processes did state capacity collapse in Venezuela? Second, what continuities and ruptures between the Chávez and Maduro eras have determined the current crisis? Third, how has the relationship between economic collapse and mass migration manifested at institutional and social levels? Fourth, in what ways did the US’ maximum pressure strategy during the Trump administration internationalize the crisis and intensify geo-political rivalry? And finally, what potential scenarios exist for Venezuela under current conditions? The evidence shows that the Venezuelan crisis has assumed a hybrid character, generating consequences at national, regional, and global levels. This study asserts that resolution is possible only through multilateral diplomatic mechanisms, comprehensive economic reconstruction, and integrated migration management policies. Furthermore, it underlines that the relationship between the United States’ historical interventionist practices and the contemporary multipolar geopolitical environment is fundamental in forming Venezuela’s future.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

In this research article, ethics committee permission was not required as the data were not obtained using survey or interview techniques.

References

  1. Acemoğlu, D., & Robinson, J. A. (2012). Why Nations Fail?: The Origins of power, prosperity, and poverty (1st ed.). Crown Business.
  2. Akgemci, E. (2020). Venezuela’da Post-Neoliberalizm: Bolivarcı Devrim Sürecinin Kazanım ve Sınırlılıkları. In E. Akgemci & K. Ateş (Eds.), Dünyanın Ters Köşesi Latin Amerika: Tarih, Toplum, Kültür (pp. 237-252). İletişim Yayınları.
  3. Bull, B., & Rosales, A. (2023). How Sanctions Led to Authoritarian Capitalism in Venezuela. Current History, 122(841), 49-55. https://doi.org/10.1525/curh.2023.122.841.49
  4. Cannon, B. (2010). Hugo Chávez and the Bolivarian Revolution: Populism and Democracy in a Globalised Age. Manchester University Press.
  5. Cano, R. G., Toropin, K., & Tucker, E. (2026, January 4). EEUU planea “gobernar” Venezuela y explotar su petróleo, dice Trump, tras sacar a Maduro del país. Associated Press.
  6. Corrales, J. (2020). Authoritarian Survival: Why Maduro Hasn’t Fallen. Journal of Democracy, 31(3), 39-53. https://doi.org/10.1353/jod.2020.0044
  7. Corrales, J., & Penfold, M. (2015). Dragon in the Tropics: Venezuela and the Legacy of Hugo Chavez. Bloomsbury Publishing.
  8. Correa-Salazar, C., & Amon, J. J. (2020). Cross-border COVID-19 spread amidst malaria re-emergence in Venezuela: a human rights analysis. Globalization and Health, 16(1), 118. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-020-00648-2

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Conflict Resolution, Political Sociology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

May 31, 2026

Submission Date

December 27, 2025

Acceptance Date

March 17, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 19

APA
Çatalbaş, A. Ü. (2026). Venezuela from Chávez to Maduro: State Capacity, Economic Collapse, and the Re-Shaping of US’ Regional Strategy. İmgelem, 19, 117-142. https://doi.org/10.53791/imgelem.1850080
AMA
1.Çatalbaş AÜ. Venezuela from Chávez to Maduro: State Capacity, Economic Collapse, and the Re-Shaping of US’ Regional Strategy. İMGELEM. 2026;(19):117-142. doi:10.53791/imgelem.1850080
Chicago
Çatalbaş, Adem Üstün. 2026. “Venezuela from Chávez to Maduro: State Capacity, Economic Collapse, and the Re-Shaping of US’ Regional Strategy”. İmgelem, nos. 19: 117-42. https://doi.org/10.53791/imgelem.1850080.
EndNote
Çatalbaş AÜ (May 1, 2026) Venezuela from Chávez to Maduro: State Capacity, Economic Collapse, and the Re-Shaping of US’ Regional Strategy. İmgelem 19 117–142.
IEEE
[1]A. Ü. Çatalbaş, “Venezuela from Chávez to Maduro: State Capacity, Economic Collapse, and the Re-Shaping of US’ Regional Strategy”, İMGELEM, no. 19, pp. 117–142, May 2026, doi: 10.53791/imgelem.1850080.
ISNAD
Çatalbaş, Adem Üstün. “Venezuela from Chávez to Maduro: State Capacity, Economic Collapse, and the Re-Shaping of US’ Regional Strategy”. İmgelem. 19 (May 1, 2026): 117-142. https://doi.org/10.53791/imgelem.1850080.
JAMA
1.Çatalbaş AÜ. Venezuela from Chávez to Maduro: State Capacity, Economic Collapse, and the Re-Shaping of US’ Regional Strategy. İMGELEM. 2026;:117–142.
MLA
Çatalbaş, Adem Üstün. “Venezuela from Chávez to Maduro: State Capacity, Economic Collapse, and the Re-Shaping of US’ Regional Strategy”. İmgelem, no. 19, May 2026, pp. 117-42, doi:10.53791/imgelem.1850080.
Vancouver
1.Adem Üstün Çatalbaş. Venezuela from Chávez to Maduro: State Capacity, Economic Collapse, and the Re-Shaping of US’ Regional Strategy. İMGELEM. 2026 May 1;(19):117-42. doi:10.53791/imgelem.1850080