From unemployed hipster to UN Security Council member

Maria Gabriela Chavéz, the daughter of Hugo Chavéz, was recently appointed to the 15-member UN Security Council. This is the first job in Maria's life. How did Maria go from party girl, to member of the UN?

Maria Gabriela Chavéz (34), born March 12, 1980, is one of the five children of former President of Venezuela Hugo Chavéz. In the years before Chavéz's death from cancer, Maria was considered a "First Lady. She had a leading role in Chavéz's life. Maria, who dropped out of her first degree program for unknown reasons, then finished studying journalism. She spent the rest of her 34-year existence living her Paris Hilton-like hipster lifestyle with world travel and partying. As of Jan. 1, she is part of the UN Security Council -as one of 15 members- and will spend the next two years co-deciding on issues such as Ukraine, ISIS and terrorism.

The rice queen

Uncontroversial Maria is not. Most recently, she was linked to import corruption from Argentina, earning her the nickname "the rice queen. By keeping the price of imported rice artificially extremely high, she is said to have made millions while Venezuela's food shortages mount. There are voices saying that one of the reasons for her appointment to UN is the additional diplomatic immunity she gains from her position.

Her home, the palace

Image: Instagram

Unlike Jacqueline Kennedy (wife of assassinated President J.F. Kennedy), who left the White House within two weeks of the assassination (without having an alternate home address), Maria has continued to live in the presidential palace "La Carsona. As a result, current President Maduro lives in the vice president's house on an army base.

While Venezuela is burdened by huge deficits, hyperinflation and growing crime, the palace where Maria is staying has a swimming pool, cinema, gym, dance hall and bowling alley. Maintenance costs are around $300,000 a month. She has been living there for more than 15 months. Several complaints have already been filed by neighbors due to noise pollution from parties held at the palace. In addition, a number of delivery services no longer want to deliver food due to unpaid bills.

Maria's sister, Rosa Chavéz, coincidentally the wife of the current vice president of Venezuela, also lives in the palace "La Carsona.

Jetset

In addition to using the palace, Maria still uses the president's private plane and the presidential security force, which numbers 5,000.

The UN Security Council consists of 15 members. 5 permanent members and 10 non-permanent members appointed for 2 years. To get on the Security Council, Venezuela has needed the support of many of the South American countries. Her seat on the Security Council will most likely be next to that of Venezuela 's arch-rival America. As recently as 2006, Chavéz made then-President Bush out to be the devil. When it became known that Chavéz was suffering from cancer, it was alleged that America gave it to him.

The power of Cuba

With close ties to Cuba, much of Maria's input is expected to come directly from the Castro family. The international studies department at the University of Venezuela recently publicly rejected Maria's appointment. In addition, many critics question whether she is the right person in the right place.

Other rumors circulating are that Maria's appointment may be a promotional ladder, as Maduro's popularity is declining considerably, to around 30 percent. Once Hugo Chavéz expressed in an interview on national television that someone from his bloodline will become the new leader of Venezuela.

Social media rock star

Maria is a rock star on Twitter and Instagram. With nearly one million followers on Twitter and large numbers of followers on Instagram, she played a big role when her father was president. Many of her tweets include selfies with celebrities, parties, pets and, of course, those with her father Hugo Chavéz. Time will tell if she is cut from the right cloth for her first job.