U.S. — The 2028 presidential race took a surprising turn this week following the events that took place in Venezuela, as the latest round of polling showed that deposed dictator Nicolas Maduro had taken the early primary lead as the most popular Democrat.
A poll of likely Democratic voters taken in the first week of January 2026 showed a dramatic shift in support from other popular candidates to Maduro, now that he has been relieved of his position as leader of the Venezuelan government and arrived in the United States.
"The voters obviously love him," said one pollster. "Honestly, it shouldn't surprise anyone. He has everything Democrats want in a politician: suppression of freedom, unbridled corruption, and straight-up socialism. Now that he's residing in the U.S., he's a shoo-in for the nomination. There's already a campaign office set up for him, and ‘Maduro 2028' signs are being printed as we speak."
Democratic voters were quick to voice their support for Maduro. "He represents everything we stand for," said one progressive American. "We've been waiting for a really good candidate like this ever since Obama left office. Maduro is like Obama on steroids. Oppression of dissent, killing opponents, torture chambers… this is the guy we need."
CNN political analyst James Carville had already given Maduro his endorsement and all but named him the uncrowned Democratic frontrunner. "I wish he were a little bit more to the left, but I'll take him," Carville said on the air.
At publishing time, the Democratic Party had decided to continue its tradition of foregoing an actual primary and had named Maduro as its candidate.
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