Editing Venezuela (section)

== Government and politics ==
{{Main|Government of Venezuela|Cabinet of Venezuela|Politics of Venezuela|Democracy in Venezuela}}
{{Further|2024 Venezuelan presidential election|2024 Venezuelan protests}}
[[File:LegislativoCentro.jpg|[[National Assembly of Venezuela]] [[Palacio Federal Legislativo|building]]|thumb]]
Two major blocs of [[List of political parties in Venezuela|political parties]] are in Venezuela: the incumbent leftist bloc United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), its major allies [[Fatherland for All]] (PPT) and the Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV), and the opposition bloc grouped into the electoral coalition [[Mesa de la Unidad Democrática]]. This includes [[A New Era]] (UNT) together with allied parties [[Project Venezuela]], [[Justice First]], [[Movement for Socialism (Venezuela)|Movement for Socialism]] (MAS) and others.

The Venezuelan president is elected by a vote, with direct and [[universal suffrage]], and is both [[head of state]] and [[head of government]]. The term of office is six years, and (as of 15 February 2009) a president may be re-elected an unlimited number of times. The president appoints the vice president and decides the size and composition of the cabinet and makes appointments to it with the involvement of the legislature. The president can ask the legislature to reconsider portions of laws he finds objectionable, but a simple parliamentary majority can override these objections.

The president may ask the National Assembly to pass an [[Enabling act#In Venezuela|enabling act]] granting the ability to [[rule by decree]] in specified policy areas; this requires a two-thirds majority in the Assembly. Since 1959, six Venezuelan presidents have been granted such powers.

The [[unicameral]] Venezuelan parliament is the ''Asamblea Nacional'' ("National Assembly"). The number of members is variable – each state and the Capital district elect three representatives plus the result of dividing the state population by 1.1% of the total population of the country.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ley Orgánica de Procesos Electorales|url=http://www.cne.gov.ve/web/normativa_electoral/ley_organica_procesos_electorales/titulo2.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100929053531/http://www.cne.gov.ve/web/normativa_electoral/ley_organica_procesos_electorales/titulo2.php|archive-date=29 September 2010|publisher=Consejo Nacional Electoral|access-date=4 April 2011|language=es}}</ref> Three seats are reserved for representatives of Venezuela's Indigenous peoples. For the 2011–2016 period the number of seats is 165.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dos mil 719 candidatos se disputarán los curules de la Asamblea Nacional|url=http://www.vtv.gov.ve/noticias-nacionales/37227|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510075036/http://www.vtv.gov.ve/noticias-nacionales/37227|archive-date=10 May 2011|publisher=Venezolana de Televisión|access-date=4 April 2011|date=10 June 2010|language=es}}</ref> All deputies serve five-year terms.

The voting age in Venezuela is 18. Voting is not [[compulsory voting|compulsory]].<ref name="TG">{{cite news |first=Elliot |last=Frankal |title=Compulsory voting around the world |date=4 July 2005 |url=http://politics.guardian.co.uk/apathy/story/0,,1521096,00.html |archive-date=10 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010234313/http://politics.guardian.co.uk/apathy/story/0,,1521096,00.html |url-status=live |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=10 March 2007}}</ref>

The [[Law of Venezuela|legal system of Venezuela]] belongs to the [[Civil law (legal system)|Continental Law]] tradition. The highest [[judiciary|judicial]] body is the [[Supreme Tribunal of Justice (Venezuela)|Supreme Tribunal of Justice]] or ''Tribunal Supremo de Justicia'', whose magistrates are elected by parliament for a single twelve-year term. The [[National Electoral Council (Venezuela)|National Electoral Council]] (''Consejo Nacional Electoral'', or ''CNE'') is in charge of electoral processes; it is formed by five main directors elected by the National Assembly. Supreme Court president Luisa Estela Morales said in December 2009 that Venezuela had moved away from "a rigid division of powers" toward a system characterized by "intense coordination" between the branches of government. Morales clarified that each power must be independent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elinformador.com.ve/noticias/venezuela/poder-judicial/luisa-estela-morales-afirma-division-poderes-debilita-estado/8397|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325094828/http://www.elinformador.com.ve/noticias/venezuela/poder-judicial/luisa-estela-morales-afirma-division-poderes-debilita-estado/8397|archive-date=25 March 2010|title=Luisa Estela Morales afirma que la división de poderes debilita al Estado|date=5 December 2009|publisher=El Informador|access-date=16 January 2010|language=es}}</ref>

=== Administrative divisions ===
{{Main|States of Venezuela|Regions of Venezuela}}
[[File:Localizador Politico de Venezuela.svg|thumb|Map of the Venezuelan federation]]

Venezuela is divided into 23 states (''estados''), a capital district (''distrito capital'') corresponding to the city of Caracas, and the Federal Dependencies (''Dependencias Federales'', a special territory). Venezuela is further subdivided into 335 municipalities (''municipios''); these are subdivided into over one thousand parishes (''parroquias''). The states are grouped into nine administrative regions (''regiones administrativas''), which were established in 1969 by presidential decree.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}

The country can be further divided into ten geographical areas, some corresponding to climatic and biogeographical regions. In the north are the [[Venezuelan Andes]] and the [[Coro region]], a mountainous tract in the northwest, holds several [[Mountain range|sierras]] and valleys. East of it are lowlands abutting [[Lake Maracaibo]] and the [[Gulf of Venezuela]].{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}

The [[Cordillera de la Costa Central|Central Range]] runs parallel to the coast and includes the hills surrounding [[Caracas]]; the Eastern Range, separated from the Central Range by the [[Gulf of Cariaco]], covers all of [[Sucre (state)|Sucre]] and northern [[Monagas]]. The [[Insular Region (Venezuela)|Insular Region]] includes all of Venezuela's island possessions: [[Nueva Esparta]] and the various [[Federal Dependencies]]. The Orinoco Delta, which forms a triangle covering [[Delta Amacuro]], projects northeast into the Atlantic Ocean.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Orinoco River {{!}} Physical Features & People {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Orinoco-River |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref>

The country maintains a claim on the territory it calls "Guayana Esequiba", the territory administered by Guyana west of the Esequibo River. In 1966 the British and Venezuelan governments signed the Geneva Agreement to resolve the conflict peacefully.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Agreement to Resolve the Controversy between Venezuela and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland over the Frontier between Venezuela and British Guiana |url=https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/UNTS/Volume%20561/volume-561-I-8192-English.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116234853/http://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/UNTS/Volume%20561/volume-561-I-8192-English.pdf |archive-date=16 January 2013 |access-date=25 January 2025 |website=United Nations}}</ref> The Port of Spain Protocol of 1970 set a deadline to try to resolve the issue, without success to date.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}

{{Political subdivisions of Venezuela}}
{{Clear|left}}

==== Largest cities ====
{{Main|List of metropolitan areas in Venezuela}}
{{Largest cities
| country = Venezuela
| stat_ref = <ref>Based on the result of the 2011 Census according to the Instituto Nacional de Estadisca</ref>
| div_name = State
| city_1 = Caracas | div_1 = Capital District (Venezuela){{!}}Capital District | pop_1 = 2,904,376|img_1 =Venezuela_-_Caracas_-_Mirador_de_Valle_Arriba.jpg
| city_2 = Maracaibo | div_2 = Zulia | pop_2 = 1,906,205|img_2 =Maracaibo panoramica avenida Cecilio Acosta cuted.jpg
| city_3 = Valencia, Venezuela{{!}}Valencia | div_3 = Carabobo | pop_3 = 1,396,322|img_3 = Valencia (Venezuela) Skyline.jpg
| city_4 = Barquisimeto | div_4 = Lara (state){{!}}Lara | pop_4 = 996,230|img_4 = Cuadras del Oeste. Barquisimeto.jpg
| city_5 = Ciudad Guayana | div_5 = Bolívar, Venezuela{{!}}Bolívar | pop_5 = 706,736
| city_6 = Maturín | div_6 = Monagas | pop_6 =  542,259
| city_7 = Barcelona, Venezuela{{!}}Barcelona| div_7 = Anzoátegui | pop_7 = 421,424
| city_8 = Maracay| div_8 = Aragua | pop_8 = 407,109
| city_9 = Cumaná | div_9 = Sucre, Venezuela{{!}}Sucre | pop_9 = 358,919
| city_10 = Barinas, Barinas{{!}}Barinas | div_10 = Barinas (state){{!}}Barinas| pop_10 = 353.851 
| city_11 = Ciudad Bolívar | div_11 = Bolívar, Venezuela{{!}}Bolívar | pop_11 = 342,280
| city_12 = San Cristóbal, Venezuela{{!}}San Cristóbal| div_12 = Táchira| pop_12 = 263,765
| city_13 = Cabimas| div_13 = Zulia| pop_13 = 263,056
| city_14 = Los Teques | div_14 =  Miranda (state){{!}}Miranda  | pop_14 = 252,242
| city_15 = Puerto la Cruz | div_15 = Anzoátegui| pop_15 = 244,728
| city_16 = Punto Fijo | div_16 = Falcón| pop_16 = 239,444
| city_17 = Mérida, Mérida{{!}}Mérida | div_17 = Mérida (state){{!}}Mérida | pop_17 = 217,547
| city_18 = Guarenas | div_18 = Miranda (state){{!}}Miranda | pop_18 = 209,987
| city_19 = Ciudad Ojeda | div_19 = Zulia | pop_19 = 203,435
| city_20 = Guanare | div_20 = Portuguesa, Venezuela{{!}}Portuguesa | pop_20 = 192,644
}}

=== Suspension of constitutional rights ===
[[File:Venezuela protests against the Nicolas Maduro government, Altamira Square 6.JPG|thumb|Protests in [[Altamira (Caracas)|Altamira]], Caracas (2014)]]

The [[2015 Venezuelan parliamentary election|2015 parliamentary elections]] were held on 6 December 2015 to elect the 164 deputies and three Indigenous representatives of the National Assembly. In 2014, a series of protest and demonstrations began in Venezuela, attributed{{by whom|date=May 2019}} to inflation, violence and shortages in Venezuela. The protests were largely peaceful.<ref name= SVCOprotestINFO>{{cite news|title=Protestas aumentan 278% en primer semestre 2014|url=http://www.lapatilla.com/site/2014/07/17/protestas-aumentan-278-en-primer-semestre-2014/|access-date=9 April 2015| website= LaPatilla.com |date=17 July 2014|language=es|archive-date=12 June 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141120/http://www.lapatilla.com/site/2014/07/17/protestas-aumentan-278-en-primer-semestre-2014/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=December 2023}} The government has accused the protest of being motivated by [[fascists]], opposition leaders, capitalism and foreign influence,<ref name=Milne>{{cite news|last=Milne|first=Seumas|title=Venezuela protests are sign that US wants our oil, says Nicolás Maduro| url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/08/venezuela-protests-sign-us-wants-oil-says-nicolas-maduro|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=9 April 2015|archive-date=11 August 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210811062534/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/08/venezuela-protests-sign-us-wants-oil-says-nicolas-maduro|url-status=live}}</ref> President Maduro acknowledged [[PSUV]] defeat but attributed the opposition's victory to an intensification of an economic war. Despite this, Maduro said, "I will stop by hook or by crook the opposition coming to power, whatever the costs, in any way".<ref>{{cite web|title=Nicolás Maduro: 'Impediré por las buenas o por las malas que la oposición llegue al poder'|url=http://www.prensa.com/mundo/Nicolas-Maduro-Impedire-oposicion-llegue_0_4408059274.html|website=La Prensa|access-date=14 May 2016|language=es|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160321052435/http://www.prensa.com/mundo/Nicolas-Maduro-Impedire-oposicion-llegue_0_4408059274.html|archive-date=21 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the following months, Maduro fulfilled his promise of preventing the elected National Assembly from legislating. The first steps taken by PSUV and government were the substitution of the entire [[Supreme Court of Venezuela|Supreme Court]] a day after the parliamentary elections,<ref name="prodavinci.com">{{cite web|title=La designación de magistrados del TSJ por la AN. ¿Fraude Constitucional?|url= http://prodavinci.com/blogs/puede-la-asamblea-nacional-designar-magistrados-del-tsj-por-jose-ignacio-hernandez-g/ |website= ProDavinci.com |access-date=14 May 2016| archive-date=21 August 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160821221725/http://prodavinci.com/blogs/puede-la-asamblea-nacional-designar-magistrados-del-tsj-por-jose-ignacio-hernandez-g/|url-status=live}}</ref> contrary to the [[Constitution of Venezuela]], acclaimed as a fraud by the majority of the Venezuelan and international press.<ref name="larazon.net">{{cite web|title=Designaciones de magistrados son un fraude a la Constitución| url= http://www.larazon.net/2015/12/22/alberto-arteaga-sanchez-designaciones-de-magistrados-son-un-fraude-a-la-constitucion/|website=La razón|date=22 December 2015| language=es|access-date=15 May 2016|archive-date=4 June 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160604021540/http://www.larazon.net/2015/12/22/alberto-arteaga-sanchez-designaciones-de-magistrados-son-un-fraude-a-la-constitucion/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="el-nacional.com">{{cite web|title= Designación de magistrados obvió fase de impugnación|url=http://www.el-nacional.com/politica/Designacion-magistrados-obvio-fasede-impugnacion_0_766123536.html|website=El Nacional|language=es|access-date=15 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508161057/http://www.el-nacional.com/politica/Designacion-magistrados-obvio-fasede-impugnacion_0_766123536.html|archive-date=8 May 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="bbc.com">{{cite web|title=Por qué importan tanto los magistrados que designó el chavismo en Venezuela| url= http://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias/2015/12/151222_venezuela_tsj_magistrados_dp|website=BBC.com| date=23 December 2015|language=es|access-date=15 May 2016|archive-date=18 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318074402/http://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias/2015/12/151222_venezuela_tsj_magistrados_dp|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ntn24web.com">{{cite web|title=Designación de magistrados del TSJ en Vzla es un "flagrante fraude" a la Constitución|url=http://ntn24web.com/video/paso-a-vzla-chavismo-designo-nuevos-magistrados-83200|website=NTN24|access-date=14 May 2016|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616182412/http://ntn24web.com/video/paso-a-vzla-chavismo-designo-nuevos-magistrados-83200|archive-date=16 June 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The ''Financial Times'' described the function of the Supreme Court in Venezuela as "rubber stamping executive whims and vetoing legislation".<ref name="broken system">{{Cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/e619b1f6-2805-11e7-bc4b-5528796fe35c |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/e619b1f6-2805-11e7-bc4b-5528796fe35c |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access= subscription|title=Venezuela's broken system|last=Lansberg-Rodriguez| first=Daniel| date=2 April 2017|website=The Financial Times|page=11|access-date=24 April 2017}}</ref> The PSUV government used this violation to suspend several elected opponents.<ref>{{cite web|title=El Supremo suspende la proclamación de tres diputados opositores y uno chavista |url= http://www.elmundo.es/internacional/2015/12/31/5685209422601d9c788b4641.html|website=elmundo.es|date=31 December 2015|publisher=Unidad Editorial| language= es|access-date=15 May 2016|archive-date=4 June 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160604131405/http://www.elmundo.es/internacional/2015/12/31/5685209422601d9c788b4641.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Maduro said that "the Amnesty law (approved by the Parliament) will not be executed" and asked the Supreme Court to declare it unconstitutional.<ref>{{cite web|title=Maduro pide al TSJ declarar 'inconstitucional' la Ley de Amnistía| url= http://elestimulo.com/blog/maduro-sobre-amnistia-tenemos-que-garantizar-que-esta-ley-sea-detenida/|website=El Estímulo|language=es|access-date=15 May 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160409201537/http://elestimulo.com/blog/maduro-sobre-amnistia-tenemos-que-garantizar-que-esta-ley-sea-detenida/|archive-date=9 April 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 16 January 2016, Maduro approved an unconstitutional economic emergency decree,<ref>{{cite web|title=Decreto de emergencia económica no puede pasar del 12 de mayo|url=http://www.el-nacional.com/politica/Decreto-emergencia-economica-puede-pasar_0_793720683.html|website=El Nacional|access-date=14 May 2016 |language=es|url-status=dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160610160317/http://www.el-nacional.com/politica/Decreto-emergencia-economica-puede-pasar_0_793720683.html| archive-date=10 June 2016}}</ref> relegating to his own figure the legislative and executive powers, while also holding judiciary power through the fraudulent designation of judges the day after the election on 6 December 2015.<ref name="prodavinci.com" /><ref name="larazon.net" /><ref name="el-nacional.com" /><ref name="ntn24web.com" /> From these events, Maduro effectively controls all three branches of government. On 14 May 2016, constitutional guarantees were in fact suspended when Maduro decreed the extension of the economic emergency decree for another 60 days and declared a State of Emergency,<ref>{{cite web|title=Nicolás Maduro decreta un nuevo Estado de Excepción y de Emergencia Económica en Venezuela|url=http://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias/2016/05/160513_venezuela_maduro_emergencia_economica_ps|website=BBC.com |date=14 May 2016|access-date=14 May 2016|page=Spanish|archive-date=15 May 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160515114211/http://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias/2016/05/160513_venezuela_maduro_emergencia_economica_ps|url-status=live}}</ref> which is a clear violation of the Constitution of Venezuela<ref>{{cite web| title= Prorroga del Decreto Emergencia Económica es inconstitucional |url= http://enpaiszeta.com/marquina-prorroga-del-decreto-emergencia-economica-es-inconstitucional/ |website=El Nuevo País|access-date=14 May 2016 |language=es| url-status=dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160605124340/http://enpaiszeta.com/marquina-prorroga-del-decreto-emergencia-economica-es-inconstitucional/|archive-date=5 June 2016}}</ref> in the Article 338th: "The approval of the extension of States of emergency corresponds to the National Assembly." Thus, constitutional rights in Venezuela are considered suspended in fact by many publications<ref>{{cite web |title= La ruptura democrática de Venezuela| url=http://runrun.es/opinion/261798/la-ruptura-democratica-de-venezuela-por-asdrubal-aguiar.html |website= RunRunes.es |date=14 May 2016|access-date=15 May 2016 |language=es|archive-date=15 May 2016| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160515102351/http://runrun.es/opinion/261798/la-ruptura-democratica-de-venezuela-por-asdrubal-aguiar.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=La dictadura venezolana invitó al podemita que irá a la cárcel por pegar a un socialista|url=http://okdiario.com/espana/la-dictadura-venezolana-invito-al-podemita-que-ira-a-la-carcel-por-pegar-a-un-socialista-98237|website=OK Diario|date=30 March 2016|access-date=15 May 2016|language=es|archive-date=4 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504115310/http://okdiario.com/espana/la-dictadura-venezolana-invito-al-podemita-que-ira-a-la-carcel-por-pegar-a-un-socialista-98237|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=La dictadura venezolana reafirma su naturaleza|url=http://eju.tv/2016/04/la-dictadura-venezolana-reafirma-naturaleza/|website=Eju.tv|date=18 April 2016|access-date=15 May 2016|language= es| archive-date=1 May 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160501233503/http://eju.tv/2016/04/la-dictadura-venezolana-reafirma-naturaleza/|url-status=live}}</ref> and public figures.<ref>{{cite web|title=Expresidentes denuncian ruptura del orden constitucional y democrático en Venezuela|url=http://www.venezuelaaldia.com/2016/05/expresidentes-denuncian-ruptura-del-orden-constitucional-y-democratico-en-venezuela/|website=Venezuela al día|access-date=15 May 2016|language=es|archive-date=14 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514115819/http://www.venezuelaaldia.com/2016/05/expresidentes-denuncian-ruptura-del-orden-constitucional-y-democratico-en-venezuela/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Opositores denuncian 'ruptura del orden constitucional' en Venezuela |url= http://www.elpais.cr/2016/05/10/opositores-denuncian-ruptura-del-orden-constitucional-en-venezuela/|website=El País|date=11 May 2016|access-date=15 May 2016 |language=es|archive-date=12 May 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160512104327/http://www.elpais.cr/2016/05/10/opositores-denuncian-ruptura-del-orden-constitucional-en-venezuela/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Venezuela es una dictadura que no representa la división de poderes|url=http://www.elsalvador.com/articulo/internacional/venezuela-una-dictadura-que-respeta-division-poderes-110967|website=El Salvador|access-date=15 May 2016|language=es|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530153407/http://www.elsalvador.com/articulo/internacional/venezuela-una-dictadura-que-respeta-division-poderes-110967| archive-date=30 May 2016}}</ref>

On 14 May 2016, the [[Organization of American States]] was considering the application of the [[Inter-American Democratic Charter]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Jefe de la OEA estudia invocar Carta Democrática por Venezuela |url=http://www.laprensa.com.ni/2016/04/28/internacionales/2026877-jefe-de-la-oea-estudia-invocar-carta-democratica-por-venezuela|website=La Prensa|date=29 April 2016|access-date=15 May 2016|language=es|archive-date=2 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502095654/http://www.laprensa.com.ni/2016/04/28/internacionales/2026877-jefe-de-la-oea-estudia-invocar-carta-democratica-por-venezuela|url-status=live}}</ref> sanctions for non-compliance to its own constitution.

In March 2017, the Venezuelan Supreme Court took over law making powers from the National Assembly<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-39449494|title=Venezuela 'coup': Alarm grows as court takes power|date=3 March 2017|work=BBC.co.uk |access-date=31 March 2017|archive-date=13 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213023216/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-39449494|url-status=live}}</ref> but reversed its decision the following day.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Venezuela: Supreme court backtracks on powers bid|date=1 April 2017|work=BBC.co.uk|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-39468045|access-date=1 April 2017|archive-date=1 April 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170401134427/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-39468045|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Foreign relations ===
{{Main|Foreign relations of Venezuela}}
[[File:Guayana_Esequiba_(zona_completa).png|thumb|The [[Guyana–Venezuela territorial dispute|disputed "Guayana Esequiba" claim area]] is a territory administered by [[Guyana]] and historically claimed by Venezuela.]]

Throughout most of the 20th century, Venezuela maintained friendly relations with most Latin American and Western nations. Relations between Venezuela and the United States government worsened in 2002, after the 2002 Venezuelan coup d'état attempt during which the U.S. government recognized the short-lived interim presidency of [[Pedro Carmona]]. In 2015, Venezuela was declared a national security threat by U.S. president [[Barack Obama]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-venezuela-idUSKBN0M51NS20150309|title=U.S. declares Venezuela a national security threat, sanctions top officials|work=Reuters|access-date=26 April 2015|date=9 March 2015|archive-date=15 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415154549/http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/09/us-usa-venezuela-idUSKBN0M51NS20150309|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2377482&CategoryId=10717|title=Latin American Herald Tribune – US Announces New Executive Order Sanctions on Venezuela – Declares "National Emergency"|access-date=26 April 2015|archive-date=25 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150325144202/http://laht.com/article.asp?CategoryId=10717&ArticleId=2377482|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/article13087994.html|title=Amid deteriorating relations, Washington turns screws on Venezuela|website=miamiherald|access-date=26 April 2015|archive-date=6 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406211611/http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/article13087994.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Correspondingly, ties to various Latin American and [[Middle East]]ern countries not allied to the U.S. have strengthened.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}

Venezuela seeks alternative [[Western Hemisphere|hemispheric]] integration via such proposals as the [[Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas]] trade proposal and the newly launched Latin American television network [[teleSUR]]. Venezuela is one of five nations in the world—along with Russia, Nicaragua, Nauru, and Syria—to have recognized the independence of [[International recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia|Abkhazia and South Ossetia]]. Venezuela was a proponent of [[Organization of American States|OAS]]'s decision to adopt its Anti-Corruption Convention<ref>{{cite book|title=Political Risk Yearbook: South America|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ascdAQAAMAAJ&q=%22championed%20the%20OAS%20decision%22|year=1999|publisher=Frost & Sullivan|page=34|isbn = 978-1-931077-59-0|quote=Venezuela worked closely with its neighbors following the 1997 Summit of the Americas in many areas—particularly energy integration—and championed the OAS decision to adopt an Anti-Corruption Convention.}}</ref> and is actively working in the [[Mercosur]] trade bloc to push increased trade and energy integration. Globally, it seeks a "[[polarity in international relations|multi-polar]]" world based on strengthened ties among undeveloped countries.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}

[[File:XIV cumbre del ALBA-TCP.jpg|thumb|left|President Maduro among other Latin American leaders participating in a 2017 [[ALBA]] gathering]]

On 26 April 2017, Venezuela announced its intention to withdraw from the OAS.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-39726605|title=Venezuela to withdraw from OAS as deadly protests continue|date=2 April 2017|work=BBC News|access-date=27 April 2017|archive-date=27 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427020244/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-39726605|url-status=live}}</ref> Venezuelan Foreign Minister [[Delcy Rodríguez]] said that President [[Nicolás Maduro]] plans to publicly renounce Venezuela's membership on 27 April 2017. It will take two years for the country to formally leave. During this period, the country does not plan on participating in the OAS.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/venezuela-protesters-hit-by-tear-gas-vow-to-keep-pressure-on-government/2017/04/26/c6fbdcaa-29ee-11e7-9081-f5405f56d3e4_story.html|title=Venezuela says it will quit Organization of American States|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=27 April 2017|archive-date=27 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427010200/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/venezuela-protesters-hit-by-tear-gas-vow-to-keep-pressure-on-government/2017/04/26/c6fbdcaa-29ee-11e7-9081-f5405f56d3e4_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Venezuela is involved in a long-standing disagreement about the control of the [[Guayana Esequiba]] area.

Venezuela may suffer a deterioration of its power in international affairs if the global [[energy transition|transition to renewable energy]] is completed. It is ranked 151 out of 156 countries in the index of Geopolitical Gains and Losses after energy transition (GeGaLo).<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Overland|first1=Indra|last2=Bazilian|first2=Morgan|last3=Ilimbek Uulu|first3=Talgat|last4=Vakulchuk|first4=Roman |last5=Westphal|first5=Kirsten|date=2019|title=The GeGaLo index: Geopolitical gains and losses after energy transition|journal=Energy Strategy Reviews|volume=26|pages=100406|doi=10.1016/j.esr.2019.100406|doi-access=free|bibcode=2019EneSR..2600406O |hdl=11250/2634876|hdl-access=free}}</ref>

Venezuela is a charter member of the [[United Nations]] (UN), [[Organization of American States]] (OAS), [[Union of South American Nations]] (UNASUR), [[ALBA|Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America]] (ALBA), [[Mercosur]], [[Latin American Integration Association]] (LAIA) and [[Organization of Ibero-American States]] (OEI).

=== Military ===
{{See also|National Bolivarian Armed Forces of Venezuela}}
[[File:Venezuelan Air Force Sukhoi SU-30MK2 AADPR-2.jpg|thumb|A [[Sukhoi Su-30]]MKV of the Venezuelan Air Force]]
The Bolivarian National Armed Forces (''Fuerza Armada Nacional Bolivariana'', FANB) are the unified military forces of Venezuela. It includes over 320,150 men and women, under Article 328 of the Constitution, in five components of ground, sea and air. The components of the FANB are: the [[Venezuelan Army]], the [[Venezuelan Navy]], the [[Venezuelan Air Force]], the [[Venezuelan National Guard]], and the [[Venezuelan National Militia]]. {{As of|2008}}, a further 600,000 soldiers were incorporated into a new branch, known as the Armed Reserve.

The president of Venezuela is the [[commander-in-chief]] of the FANB. Its main purposes are to defend the sovereign national territory of Venezuela, airspace, and islands, fight against drug trafficking, search and rescue and, in the case of a natural disaster, civil protection. All male citizens of Venezuela have a constitutional duty to register for the military service at 18, which is the [[age of majority]].

=== Law and crime ===
{{Main|Law of Venezuela|Crime in Venezuela}}
{{Multiple image
| direction         = vertical
| width             = 330
| align             = right
| image1            = 1998 to 2018 Venezuela Murder Rate.png
| image2            = Number of kidnappings in Venezuela 1989 to present (Presidents).png
| caption1          = Murder rate (murder per 100,000 citizens) from 1998 to 2018.
<br />Sources: OVV,<ref>{{cite web|title=Observatorio Venezolano de Violencia |url=http://observatoriodeviolencia.org.ve/ws/ |website=Observatorio Venezolano de Violencia |access-date=16 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216122638/http://observatoriodeviolencia.org.ve/ws/ |archive-date=16 December 2014}}</ref><ref name="FUSIONmr">{{cite news|last1=Rueda|first1=Manuel|title=How Did Venezuela Become So Violent?n|url=http://fusion.net/story/4593/how-did-venezuela-become-so-violent/|access-date=16 December 2014|agency=Fusion TV|date=8 January 2014|archive-date=31 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231035326/http://fusion.net/story/4593/how-did-venezuela-become-so-violent/|url-status=dead}}</ref> PROVEA,<ref name="UNODC2011">{{cite web|title=GLOBAL STUDY ON HOMICIDE 2011|url=http://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/statistics/Homicide/Globa_study_on_homicide_2011_web.pdf|website=UNODC|access-date=16 December 2014|archive-date=26 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226010641/http://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/statistics/Homicide/Globa_study_on_homicide_2011_web.pdf%0A|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="UNODC2014">{{cite web|title=GLOBAL STUDY ON HOMICIDE 2014|url=http://www.unodc.org/documents/gsh/pdfs/2014_GLOBAL_HOMICIDE_BOOK_web.pdf|website=UNODC|access-date=16 December 2014|archive-date=22 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722011654/https://www.unodc.org/documents/gsh/pdfs/2014_GLOBAL_HOMICIDE_BOOK_web.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> UN<ref name="UNODC2011" /><ref name="UNODC2014" /><ref name="AFP2012">{{cite news|title=Global homicide rates drop, but nearly 500,000 murdered in 2012|url=https://news.yahoo.com/global-homicide-rates-drop-nearly-500-000-murdered-143539493.html|access-date=16 December 2014|agency=[[Agence France-Presse]]|date=10 December 2014|archive-date=6 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106022136/https://news.yahoo.com/global-homicide-rates-drop-nearly-500-000-murdered-143539493.html|url-status=live}}</ref><br /> '''*''' UN line between 2007 and 2012 is simulated missing data.
| caption2          = Number of kidnappings in Venezuela 1989–2011.<br />Source: [[Cuerpo de Investigaciones Científicas, Penales y Criminalísticas|CICPC]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oas.org/dsp/documentos/Publicaciones/Seg%20Publica-%20Venezuela%20y%20Bolivia.pdf |title=SeguridadPúblicayPrivada VenezuelayBolivia |date=August 2009 |publisher=Oas.org |access-date=30 March 2015 |archive-date=10 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010114507/http://www.oas.org/dsp/documentos/Publicaciones/Seg%20Publica-%20Venezuela%20y%20Bolivia.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="CICPC2009">{{cite web |url=http://issuu.com/lexys/docs/fact_sheet_paz_activa/1 |title=Venezuela: Gravísima Crisis de Seguridad Pública by Lexys Rendon |date=12 September 2011 |publisher=ISSUU.com |access-date=30 March 2015 |archive-date=12 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012090810/https://issuu.com/lexys/docs/fact_sheet_paz_activa/1 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eluniversal.com/sucesos/120104/segun-el-cicpc-el-2011-cerro-con-1150-secuestros-en-todo-el-pais |title=Según el Cicpc el 2011 cerró con 1.150 secuestros en todo el país – Sucesos |publisher=Eluniversal.com |date=4 January 2012 |access-date=30 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108102223/http://www.eluniversal.com/sucesos/120104/segun-el-cicpc-el-2011-cerro-con-1150-secuestros-en-todo-el-pais |archive-date=8 January 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref><br />'''*''' [[Express kidnapping]]s may not be included in data.
}}

In Venezuela, a person is murdered every 21 minutes.<ref>{{cite news|last=Castillo|first=Mariano|title=Beauty queen's killers nabbed, Venezuela says|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/09/world/americas/monica-spear-venezuela-beauty-queen-killed/|access-date=10 January 2014|newspaper=CNN|date=9 January 2014|archive-date=21 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221100911/http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/09/world/americas/monica-spear-venezuela-beauty-queen-killed/|url-status=live}}</ref> Violent crimes have been so prevalent in Venezuela that the government no longer produces the crime data.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gallegos|first=Raul|title=Miss Venezuela's Murder Is the Price of Politics|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-01-10/miss-venezuela-s-murder-is-the-price-of-politics.html|access-date=10 January 2014|work=[[Bloomberg.com]]|date=10 January 2014|archive-date=27 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140127115104/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-01-10/miss-venezuela-s-murder-is-the-price-of-politics.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2013, the homicide rate was approximately 79 per 100,000, one of the world's highest, having quadrupled in the past 15 years with over 200,000 people murdered.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rueda|first=Manuel|title=How Did Venezuela Become So Violent?|url=http://fusion.net/leadership/story/venezuela-violent-iraq-365361|publisher=Fusion|access-date=10 January 2014|archive-date=10 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110235719/http://fusion.net/leadership/story/venezuela-violent-iraq-365361|url-status=dead}}</ref> By 2015, it had risen to 90 per 100,000.<ref name="BBCVenezuela">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-35622188|title=Venezuela's decline fuelled by plunging oil prices|last1=Davies|first1=Wyre|date=20 February 2016|access-date=20 February 2016|publisher=BBC News, Latin America|archive-date=21 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221035418/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-35622188|url-status=live}}</ref> The capital Caracas has one of the greatest homicide rates of any large city in the world, with 122 homicides per 100,000 residents.<ref>{{cite web|title=Venezuela Country Specific Information |url=https://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1059.html |publisher=United States Department of State |access-date=10 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140111012601/http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1059.html |archive-date=11 January 2014}}</ref> In 2008, polls indicated that crime was the number one concern of voters.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKN14277528 |title=Crime threatens Chavez vote in Venezuela slums |publisher=Uk.reuters.com |date=14 November 2008 |access-date=25 April 2010 |archive-date=15 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100115215731/http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKN14277528 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Attempts at fighting crime such as Operation Liberation of the People were implemented to crack down on gang-controlled areas<ref>{{cite news |url=http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2015/07/13/14-killed-in-caracas-anti-crime-operation | work=Fox News |title=14 Killed in Caracas anti-crime operation |date=13 July 2015 | access-date=16 July 2015 |archive-date=17 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717025212/http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2015/07/13/14-killed-in-caracas-anti-crime-operation/ |url-status=live}}</ref> but, of reported criminal acts, less than 2% are prosecuted.<ref name="Finnegan">{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/11/14/venezuela-a-failing-state|title=Venezuela, A Failing State|last=Finnegan|first=William|date=1 November 2016|magazine=The New Yorker|access-date=7 January 2017|archive-date=25 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925104104/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/11/14/venezuela-a-failing-state|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, the ''Financial Times'' noted that some of the arms procured by the government over the previous two decades had been diverted to paramilitary civilian groups and criminal syndicates.<ref name="broken system" />

Venezuela is especially dangerous for foreign travelers and investors who are visiting. The [[United States Department of State]] and the [[Government of Canada]] have warned foreign visitors that they may be subjected to robbery, kidnapping<ref>{{cite web|url=https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country/venezuela.html|title=Venezuela|publisher=United States Department of State|access-date=30 June 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703175448/http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country/venezuela.html|archive-date=3 July 2015}}</ref> and murder, and that their own diplomatic travelers are required to travel in [[armored vehicles]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Venezuela Travel Warning|url=https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/alertswarnings/venezuela-travel-warning.html|publisher=United States Department of State|access-date=9 February 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140130073159/http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/alertswarnings/venezuela-travel-warning.html|archive-date=30 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Venezuela|date=16 November 2012|url=http://travel.gc.ca/destinations/venezuela|publisher=Government of Canada|access-date=9 February 2014|archive-date=1 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501072806/https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/venezuela|url-status=live}}</ref> The United Kingdom's [[Foreign and Commonwealth Office]] has advised against all travel to Venezuela.<ref>{{cite news|title=FCO travel advice mapped: the world according to Britain's diplomats|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2011/mar/23/fco-travel-advice-map|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=13 December 2016|archive-date=24 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624012136/http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2011/mar/23/fco-travel-advice-map|url-status=live}}</ref> Visitors have been murdered during robberies.<ref>{{cite news|title=Venezuelan Soap Star Monica Spear Slain with Ex-Husband|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/venezuelan-soap-star-monica-spear-slain-ex-husband-n5231|date=8 January 2014|newspaper=NBC News|access-date=7 February 2014|archive-date=10 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010132245/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/venezuelan-soap-star-monica-spear-slain-ex-husband-n5231|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=German tourist, 76, shot dead on Venezuelan island|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-shooting-tourist-idUSBREA1621020140207|access-date=9 February 2014|newspaper=Reuters|date=7 February 2014|first=Andrew|last=Cawthorne|archive-date=14 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214044010/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/07/us-venezuela-shooting-tourist-idUSBREA1621020140207|url-status=live}}</ref>

There are approximately 33 prisons holding about 50,000 inmates.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/20/world/americas/venezuela-prison-violence/index.html |title=20 killed in Venezuelan prison violence |publisher=CNN.com |access-date=25 November 2012 |archive-date=28 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928044229/https://www.cnn.com/2012/08/20/world/americas/venezuela-prison-violence/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Venezuela's prison system is heavily overcrowded; its facilities have capacity for only 14,000 prisoners.<ref>{{cite news|last=Silverstein|first=Amy|title=Venezuela prison riot kills 20|url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/venezuela/120820/venezuela-prison-riot-kills-20|access-date=21 August 2012|newspaper=[[Global Post]]|date=20 August 2012|archive-date=1 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101201851/http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/venezuela/120820/venezuela-prison-riot-kills-20|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Human rights===
{{Main|Human rights in Venezuela}}
Human rights organizations such as [[Human Rights Watch]] and [[Amnesty International]] have increasingly criticized Venezuela's human rights record, with the former organization noting in 2017 that the Chavez and subsequently the Maduro government have increasingly concentrated power in the executive branch, eroded constitutional human rights protections and allowed the government to persecute and repress its critics and opposition.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2017/country-chapters/venezuela|title=World Report 2017: Rights Trends in Venezuela|date=12 January 2017|website=Human Rights Watch|access-date=4 April 2021|archive-date=11 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511173224/https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2017/country-chapters/venezuela|url-status=live}}</ref> Other persistent concerns as noted by the report included poor prison conditions, the continuous [[Mass media in Venezuela|harassment of independent media]] and human rights defenders by the government. In 2006, the [[Economist Intelligence Unit]] rated Venezuela a "hybrid regime" and the third least democratic regime in Latin America on the [[Democracy Index]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.eiu.com/public/topical_report.aspx?campaignid=DemocracyIndex12 |title=Democracy Index 2012 |website=www.eiu.com |access-date=4 April 2021 |archive-date=19 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519022602/https://www.eiu.com/public/topical_report.aspx?campaignid=DemocracyIndex12 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Democracy index downgraded Venezuela to an authoritarian regime in 2017, citing continued increasingly dictatorial behaviors by the Maduro government.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pages.eiu.com/rs/753-RIQ-438/images/Democracy_Index_2017.pdf?mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiWkRKbU1HWmxNVEUwTW1FdyIsInQiOiJPdlltVFV0blFRQzZNVERCZHhVeitZRElmUGplOHh3NWs1d2wzVzdRS1JvNU1kVmUxQVRESU9LbEVSOVwvR1F4aG1PV1NlS0ZZcng4NzBcLzVNZ09JOUxiZU5TTEVPekVHayttOTRqQkQ5TkNzWGN08RlowQTZ0UzlUK0pDdm9PVGlcLyJ9|title=Democracy Index 2017|access-date=5 April 2021|archive-date=19 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819182057/http://pages.eiu.com/rs/753-RIQ-438/images/Democracy_Index_2017.pdf?mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiWkRKbU1HWmxNVEUwTW1FdyIsInQiOiJPdlltVFV0blFRQzZNVERCZHhVeitZRElmUGplOHh3NWs1d2wzVzdRS1JvNU1kVmUxQVRESU9LbEVSOVwvR1F4aG1PV1NlS0ZZcng4NzBcLzVNZ09JOUxiZU5TTEVPekVHayttOTRqQkQ5TkNzWGN08RlowQTZ0UzlUK0pDdm9PVGlcLyJ9|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Corruption===
{{Main|Corruption in Venezuela}}
[[File:Corrupt Venezuelan Regime.pdf|thumb|The ''[[Corruption in Venezuela|Corrupt Venezuelan Regime]]'', according to the [[United States Department of Justice]]]]
[[Corruption in Venezuela]] is high by world standards and was so for much of the 20th century. The discovery of oil worsened political corruption.<ref>{{harvnb|McBeth|2002|p=17}}. "From 1917, greater awareness of the country's oil potential had the pernicious effect of increasing the corruption and intrigue amongst Gomez's family and entourage, the consequences of which would be felt up to 1935."</ref> By the late 1970s, [[Juan Pablo Pérez Alfonso]]'s description of oil as "the Devil's excrement" had become a common expression in Venezuela.<ref>{{harvnb|Coronil|1988|p=353}}. "The perception of petroleum as the cause of Venezuela's corruption had become widespread during this period."</ref> The [[Corruption Perceptions Index]] has ranked Venezuela as one of the most corrupt countries since the survey started in 1995. The 2010 ranking placed Venezuela at number 164, out of 178 ranked countries in government transparency.<ref>[http://english.eluniversal.com/2011/01/21/en_ing_esp_the-truth-of-pdval_21A5015053.shtml The truth of Pdval] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514111928/http://english.eluniversal.com/2011/01/21/en_ing_esp_the-truth-of-pdval_21A5015053.shtml |date=14 May 2013}}, ''[[El Universal (Caracas)|El Universal]]'', 21 January 2011.</ref> By 2016, the rank had increased to 166 out of 178.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.transparency.org/country/VEN|title=Transparency International – Venezuela|first=Transparency International|last=e.V.|website=www.transparency.org|date=31 January 2023|access-date=3 October 2017|archive-date=10 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010122451/https://www.transparency.org/country/VEN|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[World Justice Project]] ranked Venezuela 99th out of 99 countries surveyed in its 2014 Rule of Law Index.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://data.worldjusticeproject.org/#/index/VEN|title=WJP Rule of Law Index™ 2014|access-date=26 April 2015|archive-date=29 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429071718/http://data.worldjusticeproject.org/#/index/VEN|url-status=dead}}</ref>

This corruption is shown with Venezuela's significant involvement in [[Illegal drug trade in Venezuela|drug trafficking]], with [[Colombian cocaine]] and other drugs transiting Venezuela towards the United States and Europe. In the period 2003–2008 Venezuelan authorities seized the fifth-largest total quantity of cocaine in the world, behind Colombia, the United States, Spain and [[Panama]].<ref>United Nations, [http://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/WDR2010/AllSeizures.pdf World Drug Report 2010 Statistical Annex: Drug seizures] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010120056/http://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/WDR2010/AllSeizures.pdf |date=10 October 2017}}</ref> In 2006, the government's agency for combating illegal drug trade in Venezuela, ''[[National Anti-Drug Office|ONA]]'', was incorporated into the office of the vice-president. However, many major government and military officials have been known for their involvement with drug trafficking.<ref>{{cite news|title=Venezuela: Where The Mafia And The Military Come Together|url=http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/opinion/2014/02/07/venezuela-where-mafia-and-military-come-together/|access-date=9 February 2014|newspaper=Fox News|date=7 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140208064520/http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/opinion/2014/02/07/venezuela-where-mafia-and-military-come-together/|archive-date=8 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>