Nicolás Maduro has been president of Venezuela since April 19, 2013, so by early 2026 that’s about 12 years in power.

Quick Scoop

  • Maduro was sworn in as president on April 19, 2013, after a snap election held following Hugo Chávez’s death.
  • He won re‑election in 2018 in a highly contested vote that many opposition figures and foreign governments labeled illegitimate.
  • Reports indicate he was sworn in again for another term on January 10, 2025, extending his rule well past a decade.

How long has Maduro been president?

Counting from his inauguration on April 19, 2013, Maduro has been in office for roughly 12 years as of early 2025–2026. His tenure spans three presidential terms, amid severe economic crisis, sanctions, and ongoing political confrontation with the opposition.

Political context and controversy

  • Maduro first took over as interim president after Chávez’s death in March 2013, then narrowly won the special election the following month.
  • Subsequent elections, especially in 2018 and beyond, have been described by many analysts and foreign observers as unfree or unfair, fueling claims that Venezuela is under an increasingly authoritarian system.

Latest news and trending angles

  • International coverage through 2024–2025 focuses on disputed elections, sanctions, migration outflows, and negotiations between the government and opposition.
  • Forum and social-media discussions often center on how long Maduro can realistically stay in power, the role of the military, and whether external pressure or internal protests will force political change.

In many discussions, “how long has Maduro been president” is less a factual question and more a shorthand for “how did Venezuela stay under the same leadership through such a deep crisis?”

TL;DR: Maduro has been president since April 19, 2013, giving him about 12 years in power as of 2025–2026, through multiple controversial elections and a prolonged national crisis.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.