Venezuela's Maduro: From bus driver to iron-fisted 'superhero'
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00:00A former bus driver turned Venezuelan president.
00:04But to his opponents, Nicolas Maduro is viewed as a dictator who's ruled with an iron fist.
00:10The 61-year-old was catapulted to power after being handpicked by Hugo Chavez.
00:15Riding on the coattails of his revolutionary mentor, Maduro narrowly won the presidency
00:20for the first time in 2013.
00:24A baseball fan who often salsas for the cameras, he's known for fending off one crisis after
00:30another.
00:31Despite sitting on the world's largest oil reserves, Venezuelans struggle with hyperinflation
00:37and critical shortages of basic goods.
00:39Political and economic ties with states including China, Russia and Iran have helped the country
00:45stay barely afloat.
00:48Maduro faced down sanctions after his re-election in 2018 wasn't recognized.
00:53That same year, he survived an alleged drone attack which ended up injuring several soldiers.
00:59In 2013, he managed to secure the easing of certain US sanctions after agreeing to hold
01:04the latest round of elections.
01:06But the measure snapped back this April after he reneged on certain conditions.
01:11Just like Chavez, Maduro has attempted to deflect blame for Venezuela's long list of
01:16troubles.
01:17According to observers, he spent his time in power shutting television channels for
01:21political dissent and locked up key challengers.
01:26Maduro has attempted to portray himself as a superhero taking on Western imperialism.
01:32This as the life for the average Venezuelan teeters on the edge of misery.