List of Presidents of Venezuela: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Venezuela from 1974 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Venezuela, former leaders, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Venezuela: Delcy Rodríguez (in office since 2026). Delcy Rodríguez is acting president under a Supreme Court order of 3 January 2026, after US forces captured Nicolás Maduro, and no presidential election date has been set. She has remained in office beyond the 90 days the court cited.

Presidents of Venezuela in order, with years in office

Carlos Andrés Pérez

Served: 1974–1979

First of his two non-consecutive terms.

Luis Herrera Campíns

Served: 1979–1984

Christian Democratic (COPEI) president.

Jaime Lusinchi

Served: 1984–1989

Democratic Action president during the debt crisis.

Carlos Andrés Pérez

Served: 1989–1993

Returned to office; he was suspended and removed in 1993 over a corruption case.

Octavio Lepage

Served: 1993 (acting)

President of Congress who acted as president for a few days in May–June 1993.

Ramón José Velásquez

Served: 1993–1994 (acting)

Historian chosen by Congress to finish Pérez's term.

Rafael Caldera

Served: 1994–1999

Former president who returned to office as an independent.

Hugo Chávez

Served: 1999–2013

Founder of the Bolivarian Revolution; he was briefly ousted in April 2002 and died in office in March 2013.

Nicolás Maduro

Served: 2013–2026

Vice president who succeeded Chávez; his 2018 and 2024 re-elections were widely disputed, and US forces captured him on 3 January 2026.

Delcy Rodríguez

Served: 2026–present (acting)

Maduro's vice president, named acting president by the Supreme Court on 3 January 2026; she has promised elections without setting a date.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Venezuela

Who is the current president of Venezuela?

The current president of Venezuela is Delcy Rodríguez, in office since 2026. Delcy Rodríguez is acting president under a Supreme Court order of 3 January 2026, after US forces captured Nicolás Maduro, and no presidential election date has been set. She has remained in office beyond the 90 days the court cited.

Who were the previous presidents of Venezuela?

The presidents and heads of state of Venezuela listed on this page, in order, are: Carlos Andrés Pérez, Luis Herrera Campíns, Jaime Lusinchi, Octavio Lepage, Ramón José Velásquez, Rafael Caldera, Hugo Chávez, Nicolás Maduro, Delcy Rodríguez.

Sources: Wikipedia, List of presidents of Venezuela; Associated Press, Reuters, Al Jazeera and EFE reports on Maduro's capture and Delcy Rodríguez's acting presidency, including late October 2026 coverage (checked Nov 2026). Shows the ten most recent heads of state since 1974; acting and interim presidents are labelled.. Last reviewed November 2026.

Presidents of other South America countries

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