Venezuela lurches further towards dictatorship

For a man in charge of a country in the grips of hyperinflation and on the verge of humanitarian crisis, Nicolás Maduro seems peculiarly self-assured. Under his belt, Venezuela’s socialist president can claim victory in last weekend’s mayoral elections and October’s governorship elections, both won using the usual dirty tricks. He has consolidated control over PDVSA, the state-owned oil company and government’s main source of revenue and patronage, by naming generals to all the top posts in the wake of a purge he claims will eliminate corruption. In short, Mr Maduro has been busy cementing the ruling socialist party’s control over the country, although not the collapsing economy. More…