Maduro’s long-term survival is no longer feasible, but the timeline for his departure and a subsequent democratic transition is still far from certain. Here are three possible scenarios.
The events of January 23 were a victory for the once divided and dispirited Venezuelan opposition. But with Maduro so far refusing to step aside and a rogues’ gallery of governments lining up to support him, could the U.S. have stumbled into an international showdown?
Turkey’s recent flirtations with Venezuela as the U.S. tries to isolate the rogue government is another example of Erdogan’s tactic of trying to gain political bargaining chips in Ankara’s bilateral relations with Washington.
Direct military intervention in Venezuela is obviously a controversial topic, yet there should be no controversy surrounding the credible appearance of commitment to military action.
Talking military intervention isn’t even a good theoretical gamble. Few would really believe it, and it is improbable that the U.S. would follow through.
The failed assassination attempt will be a pretext for the Venezuelan government to distract international and national public attention from the crisis and criminalize the opposition.
The power players of the Americas were unified in their criticism of Venezuela, but they were challenged by Venezuelan Foreign Minister Arreaza at every turn.
From refusals to recognize the Venezuelan elections and new sanctions from democracies around the world, to shows of support from like-minded regimes, the international community has started to react to Maduro’s consolidation of power.
President Trump finally called out the Venezuelan government at the UN. Unfortunately, the way he did it isn’t helpful.
