Snapshot 5:Fri, Jan 2, 2026 8:30:17 AM GMT last edited by Harish Chander

Maduro Open to U.S. Talks Amid Drug Trafficking Strikes

Published 5 days ago

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Above: **Watermarked Getty Image. Kindly Replace** President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela makes a heart with his hands during a protest to support him on Dec. 1, 2025, in Caracas, Venezuela. Image credit: Jesus Vargas/Getty Images

The Spin

USAmerica's assault on Venezuela — through sanctions, sabotage, and destabilizationregime-change effortsschemes are— thehas primarystrangled causeits ofeconomy Venezuela'sand crisis,imperiled notits Maduro's policiespeople. Washington's waraggression, onnot VenezuelaMaduro, extendsis farthe beyondarchitect sanctionsof tothis includecrisis. regime-changeWhile operationshe thatextends forcedolive disinvestmentbranches, andsinging createdfor apeace, deU.S. factohawks financialplot embargo.a Vilifyingcatastrophe: Maduroa whilehellscape downplayingmerging imperialistGaza's aggressiondevastation undermineswith internationalColombia's solidaritycivil andwar, ignoresunleashing howfresh warmigrant makeswaves democracyand impossibleuntold suffering.

Venezuelanalysis

Going Underground on X

Maduro himself is solely responsible for Venezuela's collapse and the destabilization of the entire region through systematic human rights abuses, narcotics trafficking and stolen elections. The regime has turned Venezuela into a criminal enterprise that threatens hemispheric security. Military pressure may finally force regime insiders to recognize that life without Maduro is preferable to his continued rule.

The New York Times Caracas Chronicles

Metaculus Prediction

There is a 78% chance there will be a fatal clash between the military forces of the U.S. and Venezuela before March 1, 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.