Venezuela is a country in turmoil and its political landscape may be forever changed. Many mass protests are currently underway across the country. Large swaths of Venezuela's citizens are fed up with corruption, low wages, violence and a lack of upward mobility in their country. The target of their protests are the incumbent President Nicolás Maduro and his United Socialist Party.

Since being elected President of Venezuela on April 14, 2013, Nicolás Maduro has been under immense scrutiny. The hotly contested election came on the heels of former President Hugo Chávez's death. Maduro was Chavez's protege and number two. Members of the Democratic Unity Roundtable, an opposition group that opposed the United Socialist Party, have called Maduro's win a farce. Maduro won the election with just a 1.1 percent majority. A recount was ordered, but that didn't change anything.

Whether you agree in socialism or not it's clear that the basic tenets of socialism aren't being followed by the United Socialist Party. Socialism in its purest form means that the government and its people co-operate to produce and sustain a healthy economy. The Venezuelan economy is anything, but healthy today.

According to Reuters inflation in the South American nation is up 56 percent from last year. No one would ever mistake the country's economy as one of the world's best, but inflation should never spike so high, so fast. With the economy in dire straits came increased violence and out-of-control food prices. A government can handle one of these issues at a time, but when everything comes to a head at once, it can't be good.

It's always possible that the protesters morale takes a hit. They could tire and run out of funds, food and worldwide support. But at this point in time the opposition refuses to cave. They've even adopted a motto that beautifully sums up their challenge: "he who tires, loses." In order not to lose it's imperative that they keep pressuring for widespread governmental reform. If change can come to the former Soviet state of Ukraine then anything can happen.

The United States government hasn't taken an official position on the matter, but it's obvious that Washington doesn't care for the USP or Maduro. After all, the U.S. and Venezuela have a checkered history. Back in the late days of the Clinton Administration a man named Hugo Chávez catapulted to power in Venezuela. He did so thanks to the popularity of the Bolavarian Revolution among the people of Venezuela. Social reforms and a less invasive government were supposed to be put in place. Chavez though concerned himself more with consolidating his power.

Chávez was a also staunch ally of Cuba. This further perturbed the American government under Clinton, and later Bush and Obama. The Cuban Embargo put in place in October 1960 effectively cut off all ties between the tiny communist island state and gigantic America. Chávez and Cuba's leader Fidel Castro bonded over a mutual distaste for the U.S. The two powerful leaders viewed the "land of the free" as nothing more than an imperialistic, war mongering bully.

During Chávez's final days he proclaimed from his bedside, "Socialist motherland and victory, we will live, and we will come out victorious." That's yet to seen particularly while Venezuela is under the less-than-beloved guidance of Maduro and his associates.

But unlike Chávez, Maduro doesn't wield the same influence. No one would dare openly challenge Chávez in such a widespread, public way lest they be taken care off in ruthless fashion. The protester's sense that Maduro's grip on the country is lessening and they won't give up.

However, it would be wrong to say that he doesn't have support. In fact Maduro has a lot of advocates to go along with the gears of enemies he's attracted. Among the most high profile of his supports is legendary "Hand of God" goal scorer, World Cup champion and fellow South American Diego Maradona. Maradona never shies away from controversy.

"We're seeing all the lies that the imperialists are saying and inventing. I'm prepared to be a soldier for Venezuela in whatever is required," said Maradona.

A close friend to the late Chávez and Castro, Maradona shouted out:

"Long live Chávez, long live Maduro, long live Venezuela!"

A university student also supported Venezuela's embattled leader.

"I'm not going until he goes," said Pablo Jimenez, 24.

Yet, one Venezuelan opposition leader by the name of Henri Capriles surely would love to give the Argentinian a red card. Capriles can't wait for Maduro to be unseated. He isn't thrilled about the state of his country under the leadership of Maduro. Capriles went as far as saying that the President was "an error in the history of the country."

Maduro would like to see the protests end, but in a way that protects his image as a reformer and a man of the people. With statements similar to the one made by Capriles becoming more and more popular that's a tough agenda to see through. In fact, protester's are convinced that Maduro's policies are corrupted beyond repair. They'd love nothing more than to have Maduro run for the hills and be captured and brought to justice. Maduro must be mindful that just as Ukraine did to Viktor Yanukovych, the Venezuelan citizenry can do to him.

Venezuela future could go towards a communist/socialist future or a more Western, U.S. and European Union style of governance. Trying to predict which way the cards will fall is like trying to call out heads or tails before a coin toss.

Maduro's attempts to lessen the violence between forces loyal to him and the opposition have fallen on death ears. Yet, that didn't stop him from saying that he wanted Venezuelan's to behave (for lack of a better word) in a more civil fashion.

Here's an exact quote:

"Do not fall for provocations and prepare yourselves," Maduro said. "We are facing a massive plan. ... We have to be prepared every day to defeat the continuous fascist coup."

Maduro has also organized a sit-down for Wednesday. The so-called peace conference would seek to find a resolution beneficial to most parties according to the United Socialist Party. Capriles has been invited to attend, but he scoffed at that notion.

"I am not going to make Nicolas Maduro look good ... That is what they want, that I go there as if the country was absolutely normal," he said.

Whatever the outcome, such unrest is sure to set Venezuela back.

Do you agree with the opposition? And should America intervene in this conflict? Let us know in the comments section below.