Why Maduro's inner circle hasn't cracked, yet
Washington has thrown everything at Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro short of a full-scale invasion. The Justice Department has indicted him on narcoterrorism charges. The Treasury Department has sanctioned nearly 200 individuals linked to the regime.
Top ministers have millions in bounties on their heads. Even one of Mr. Maduro’s former spymasters, Hugo Carvajal, was extradited and pleaded guilty to all charges in June 2025, potentially facing life in prison. Still, the fortress holds.
Following the disputed July 2024 election — condemned as fraudulent by international observers, Venezuela’s opposition expected the pressure to crack Mr. Maduro’s inner circle. Instead, the military stood firm, judges validated bogus results, and key officials closed ranks.
So, what is going on?
