Options to get Maduro out are limited and unpleasant

The danger of public discussion about military options, however, is that it could raise unwarranted expectations among many Venezuelans for an external savior and lessen their motivation to organize against Maduro. Trump administration officials have had to tell opposition leaders that, notwithstanding Trump's comments, the United States has no plans to invade Venezuela. The most likely scenario in Venezuela for the foreseeable future then might be an especially undesirable one to most Venezuelans and the international community: Maduro holding on to power and a continued exodus of migrants fleeing political repression and economic deprivation. The palatable policy tools that have helped advance democratic transitions around the world in recent years could very well fall short in Venezuela. More…