The authoritarian leader still has the military on his side even as anti-government protesters again take to the streets.
By Mary Beth Sheridan Mary Beth Sheridan Correspondent covering Mexico and Central America Email Bio Follow March 9 at 4:17 PM CARACAS, Venezuela — He rules a nation where inflation is spiraling toward 10 million percent. The United States and about 50 other countries no longer recognize him as president. His popularity has slumped to about 14 percent.
How does Maduro manage to cling to power? The short answer is that the authoritarian leader has the military on his side. He has ensured officers’ loyalty by offering promotions and allowing them to enrich themselves through state businesses and criminal activities, analysts say. Supporters of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro rally during a power outage Friday in Caracas. Guaidó — who has the support of about 60 percent of Venezuelans, according to a recent Datanálisis poll — and the United States have tried a variety of approaches to lure the military away from Maduro. They range from private talks to a proposed Venezuelan amnesty law that would shield officers from future prosecution.
To accept an amnesty, military officers would have to trust that a future government would pardon them and that institutions would follow the law. But it is difficult to predict how a new government would essentially rebuild Venezuela’s institutions, which for two decades have been molded by the “chavista” movement, becoming highly politicized.
The economy has been so devastated by mismanagement and corruption that hunger is widespread, even among mid- and lower-ranking officers. Prices are soaring, and food and medicine are scarce. “We have lots of information suggesting that just as most Venezuelans are clearly unhappy with this regime and want it to come to an end, most members of the Venezuelan military feel the same way,” Elliott Abrams, the U.S. special envoy for Venezuela, said Friday at a news briefing in Washington.
México Últimas Noticias, México Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
‘Losing support by the hour’: Venezuela’s Maduro will be out of power soon, Colombian president says'Losing support by the hour': Venezuela’s Maduro will be out of power soon, Colombian president says
Leer más »
Trump clings to economy as woes mountThe president accused Democratic committee chairs of harassing the 81 people and groups they have asked to hear from.
Leer más »
Analysis | Power Up: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and company is taking on the old guard. And they're having some success.Analysis: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and company is taking on the old guard. And they're having some success.
Leer más »
'It never crossed my mind that I would not be able to get pregnant'“It never crossed my mind that I would not be able to get pregnant.” Your stories about egg freezing, ages 19 to 60.
Leer más »
Facebook content reviewers coping with PTSD symptoms by having sex and doing drugs at work: reportSome Facebook moderators also say they've begun to believe conspiracy theories they watch as part of their jobs, according to The Verge.
Leer más »
The Hong Kong domestic worker sacked for having cancerBaby Jane Teodoro Allas, 38, was sacked from her job as a domestic helper in Hong Kong while on sick leave. The reason her employer gave for her dismissal was simple: 'Diagnosed with cervical cancer.'
Leer más »