Florida education leaders voted to add the fall of Venezuelan leader to high school lessons about communism

February 24, 2026 - 04:14

Florida high school students will soon examine the dramatic 2019 removal and capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro as a case study within their history curriculum. The state's education leaders voted to incorporate this modern event into existing lessons about the failures of communist regimes.

The approved amendment specifically adds "the fall of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro" to academic standards. This change directs instruction to cover the events where opposition leader Juan Guaidó declared himself interim president and Maduro was briefly detained by his own military before the effort ultimately collapsed. Proponents argue that this real-world, contemporary example vividly illustrates the economic collapse and humanitarian crises they associate with socialist governance.

State officials framed the decision as crucial for providing students with a clear understanding of what they describe as the dangers of communism. They assert that Venezuela's recent history serves as a powerful, tangible lesson for young citizens. The updated curriculum will be implemented in public high schools, ensuring students analyze this event alongside historical examples of communist governments. The move continues Florida's trend of actively shaping social studies standards to reflect specific political perspectives on modern global affairs.