Washington Post: Fight in Venezuela

In an attempt at a temporary cooling-off, Caracas and Washington agreed to hit pause for 30 days before repatriating each other’s diplomats as leaders of the two countries butt heads on the state of democracy and electoral integrity in Venezuela. After President Donald Trump recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó, European allies like Germany, France and the UK issued an eight-day ultimatum, calling on current president of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro to hold a new election in exchange for recognition of his legitimacy. Although support for the self-proclaimed Venezuelan interim president gains remarkable momentum, Trump and his allies are facing an uphill battle if they are to bring true regime change. The Washington Post writes that a political class that controls the major arteries of the Venezuelan economy, military and bureaucracy backs Maduro. The fall of the strongman leader should not necessitate a transition into a Guaidó-led administration. Backed by Russia and China, Venezuela may fall under the control of these two US antagonists. – YaleGlobal