Nicolas Maduro Moros has no upper level education, but is likely very street smart, and knows how to guage people. He helped get Chavez released years ago. Socialist to the core.

Behind every man is a strong woman. Cilia Flores is that woman. She is very well connected, politically, and even more socialist than her husband or HC, if that can be even possible.

Once the locals start becoming dependent on handouts from a socialist regime, it is tough to change things. Who does not like getting things for free? Plus, people tend to not like change, preferring to stay with what they know, even if bad, because of their fear for the unknown. Might very well be why HC got by on the recent election.