With new U.S. threat looming, how will Venezuela's leader keep his grip on power?

"OTIS: Along with Cabello, they shout, "the imperialists and their allies should know that we are going to triumph." Officially, the U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean is to stop drug traffickers coming out of Venezuela, but many see it as an effort to depose Maduro. However, Maduro, who was first sworn in as president in 2013, has weathered numerous crises."

"However, Maduro, who was first sworn in as president in 2013, has weathered numerous crises. He survived U.S. sanctions and Venezuela's worst economic meltdown in history. His troops have crushed waves of anti-government protests. He has stonewalled negotiators trying to ease him out of power and engaged in massive fraud to steal elections. Maduro even managed to escape this drone attack when he was giving a speech in Caracas in 2018."

Nicolás Maduro maintains control of Venezuela despite U.S. sanctions, a catastrophic economic collapse, and repeated popular protests. He relies on military and security forces that have crushed anti-government demonstrations and on political mechanisms accused of massive electoral fraud. Interior ministry figures and mobilized civilian supporters pledge to defend the government against perceived external threats. The U.S. has deployed ships and troops to the Caribbean ostensibly to combat drug trafficking, while many interpret the buildup as pressure to remove Maduro. Negotiations and defections have failed to dislodge him, and a 2018 drone attack did not succeed in ending his rule.

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