In the early days of 2026, the dramatic capture of Nicolás Maduro by US forces marked the end of his controversial rule over Venezuela. Maduro, who had held power since 2013 following the death of Hugo Chávez, oversaw a period of profound crisis in the oil-rich nation.

Maduro’s removal has sparked global debate, but many argue it paves the way for positive change not just in Venezuela, but across the region and the world.

Drawing from a range of perspectives, here are five substantiated reasons why a world without Maduro could indeed be a better place:

1.    It’s The Economy, Stupid!

Maduro's leadership presided over one of the worst economic collapses in modern history, with hyperinflation, rampant shortages, and a humanitarian crisis that left millions in poverty. Venezuela, once Latin America's wealthiest nation, saw its GDP plummet by over 75% under his policies of price controls, nationalizations, and mismanagement of oil resources. With Maduro out the way, there's potential for economic reforms, including reopening to international investment and stabilizing the bolívar currency, which could lift millions out of destitution and reduce the mass exodus of Venezuelans (over 7 million since 2015). Access to the world's largest oil reserves could now be managed more efficiently, potentially lowering global energy prices and boosting regional economies.

Maduro's henchmen hunt down Americans in Venezuela (Source: X / Daily Goat)

2.    Human Rights Return

Maduro's regime was marked by widespread human rights abuses, including arbitrary detentions, torture, and violent crackdowns on protests. Security forces suppressed dissent, leading to thousands of deaths and imprisonments, while the judiciary was co-opted to target opposition figures. Maduro’s refusal to accept international aid exacerbated famine and health crises, worsening the suffering of ordinary citizens. A post-Maduro era could dismantle this authoritarian apparatus, allowing for freer expression, independent media, and accountability for past atrocities, fostering a society where Venezuelans no longer live in fear of government reprisals. This shift would also benefit the global community by reducing the flow of political refugees and promoting human rights standards in Latin America.

3.    Democracy Is Back!

Elections under Maduro were widely condemned as fraudulent, with the 2018 and 2024 votes rigged to maintain his grip on power despite overwhelming opposition support. Maduro dissolved democratic institutions, packed courts with loyalists, and sidelined the opposition-led National Assembly. Without him, Venezuela could hold credible elections, potentially bringing leaders like Edmundo González (who many believe won the 2024 vote) into power. This will rebuild trust in government, encourage political pluralism, and end the cycle of corruption that enriched elites while impoverishing the masses. Globally, this sets a precedent against autocratic entrenchment, strengthening democratic norms in the Americas.

Nicolas Maduro on his way to the United States last week (Source: X / Daily Goat)

4.    An End To Drugs & Money Laundering Cartels

Maduro is a deadly money launderer, by numerous accounts. Maduro's government was involved deeply in narco-trafficking, with high-level officials allegedly facilitating cocaine shipments to the U.S. and Europe through the "Cartel of the Suns." This contributed to regional instability, funding criminal networks and exacerbating the opioid crisis abroad. Maduro’s pernicious alliances with gangs and non-aggression pacts with groups like Tren de Aragua allowed violent crime to flourish, even exporting criminal elements to other countries. Removing Maduro disrupts these operations, potentially dismantling cartel pathways and reducing drug flows that kill tens of thousands annually in the U.S. alone. A cleaner Venezuela could collaborate with international anti-drug efforts, making the world safer from transnational crime.

5.    Better International Relations and Regional Stability

Maduro isolated Venezuela through alliances with adversarial powers like Russia, China, and Iran, turning it into a hub for anti-Western activities and undermining hemispheric security. His support for regimes in Cuba and elsewhere prolonged communist holdouts, while his policies fueled migration crises affecting Colombia, Brazil, and even the U.S. Without Maduro, Venezuela could reintegrate into global institutions, normalize ties with the West, and contribute positively to regional forums like the Organization of American States. This might accelerate the fall of allied dictatorships, like Cuba's, and reduce geopolitical tensions, benefiting global trade and security. Lower oil prices from stabilized production could also pressure rivals like Russia economically. While Maduro's ouster has raised questions about international law and the path ahead—with his allies still influential and repression lingering—the potential for positive transformation is clear.

 For now, Venezuelans are now celebrating in the streets in a reflection hope for a freer, more prosperous future. As the dust settles, the world watches to see if this change truly delivers on its promise.

What's not up for debate is that the world is a better, safer, freer place now Maduro is no longer in power.