Power Moves: How Venezuela’s Maduro Is Shoring Up His Defenses

Despite Venezuela enduring one of the most profound economic and political crises of any Latin American country in recent memory – and amid yearlong calls for Maduro's ouster in 2016 – the president's grip on power appears unexpectedly secure. After two decades spent consolidating control over the country’s institutions, Chavismo will be harder to dislodge from power than many had hoped. But the administration’s veneer of control has plenty of weak spots – and the government knows it. Maduro and his allies are desperately trying to navigate four major vulnerabilities, any one of which could see them quickly removed from power. The question now is whether the administration will succeed in its effort, or whether the opposition – or other forces – can break them down first. More…