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| - Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro and key ministers have been accused by the United Nations of probable crimes against humanity. Here is a timeline of the leftist leader's more than seven years in power: In March 2013, Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez -- in office since 1999 and initiator of its socialist-inspired "Bolivarian Revolution" -- dies of cancer. Maduro, his vice president and heir apparent, narrowly wins a disputed election the following month. A deepening economic crisis sparks months of anti-government riots in 2014 that are squelched by security forces, leaving 43 people dead. Opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez is arrested on charges of inciting the violence and imprisoned. He is released into house arrest in 2017 and, after a period in hiding, takes refuge in 2019 at the Spanish ambassador's residence in Caracas. In February 2015, Caracas mayor Antonio Ledezma is arrested and jailed over allegations of plotting to overthrow Maduro. He later flees to Spain. In December, the price of oil plummets to its lowest level in seven years, leading to major food and medicine shortages. The same month the opposition takes control of the National Assembly in a landslide victory. In March 2017, the Supreme Court, considered to be packed with Maduro loyalists, assumes the powers of the National Assembly, drawing cries of a pro-Maduro "coup." In April, a new wave of protests begins that lasts four months and leaves 125 dead. Maduro creates a Constituent Assembly to override the opposition-held National Assembly. The new legislative body is stacked with his supporters after elections in July are boycotted by the opposition. In August 2017, countries in the South American trading bloc, Mercosur, indefinitely suspend Venezuela, citing "rupture of the democratic order." The United Nations condemns the "excessive use of force" and Washington imposes new sanctions. In November, leading credit agencies declare Venezuela and state-backed oil giant PDVSA in partial default. Maduro wins re-election in May 2018, a result rejected as not free and fair by the opposition, which calls for fresh elections. The US and the European Union impose new sanctions. In August, the UN calls on Latin American countries to continue to take in Venezuelan refugees, as millions flee shortages and hyperinflation. Maduro takes office after he is sworn in by the Supreme Court in January 2019. The move is slammed as illegal by the US and a large part of the international community. Two weeks later, on January 23, a mass protest takes place against Maduro. National Assembly speaker Juan Guaido declares himself acting president until new elections can be held. Eventually more than 50 countries acknowledge him as interim president. On April 30, 2019, Guaido releases a video of himself with a small group of soldiers, for the first time claiming to have support from inside the military. Lopez is also there, having been released from house arrest by the soldiers. The government denounces an "attempted military coup." The insurrection quickly peters out and 25 rebel soldiers seek refuge in the Brazilian embassy. On May 2, the army publicly pledges loyalty to Maduro. On May 3 of this year, Caracas says it has foiled a sea-borne incursion by an armed group, killing eight of them. The United States denies any involvement. In August, two former US soldiers are sentenced to 20 years in prison for leading the incursion. Venezuela's oil production falls to its lowest since 1943. In June and July, the leaders of several opposition parties are suspended by the Supreme Court. In August, the main opposition parties led by Guaido announce they will boycott the legislative elections due in December, alleging the conditions are not in place for them to be free and fair. Later that month, Maduro pardons more than 100 opposition leaders. On September 16, UN investigators say Maduro and his top ministers are responsible for probable crimes against humanity -- including extrajudicial killings and the systematic use of torture. doc-ang/jmy/db/sst
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