Until the US spirited Venezuela’s president Nicolás Maduro away to a jail cell in New York, the strongman’s image and voice dominated the airwaves.
The former bus driver, like his predecessor Hugo Chávez, made rambling and folksy speeches that were carried in full by state broadcasters, sometimes for hours. Even if there was little to announce, each of the two men would fill airtime by dancing, singing — and singling out suspected dissidents. Buildings and billboards featured their faces across the country.
Since acting president Delcy Rodríguez took over in January, Venezuelans said the atmosphere has been very different. While Rodríguez, formerly Maduro’s deputy, has pledged loyalty to him, she has also brought about an abrupt shift from abrasive populism to a more technocratic style. Her television appearances tend to be brief and focused.