As tensions with the United States escalate, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been publicly projecting an air of calm—almost a casual nothing to worry about attitude. But behind the scenes, the situation appears far more anxious, according to a New York Times report based on conversations with several insiders.
The report outlines several security measures Maduro has taken:
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To guard against a potential precision strike or special-forces operation, Maduro frequently rotates where he sleeps and regularly changes his cellphones.
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To minimize the risk of internal betrayal, he has increased the presence of Cuban bodyguards in his personal security team and assigned more Cuban counterintelligence officers to roles within Venezuela’s military.
According to the Times, Maduro’s broader strategy centers on trying to outlast President Trump. During Trump’s first term in Washington, the U.S. also attempted to pressure Maduro from power, but he managed to remain in control. Whether he can withstand similar pressure now is uncertain.
The two leaders spoke by phone last week, and according to the Miami Herald, Trump delivered a stark message: step down quickly to secure safe passage for yourself and your family—or face the consequences.