WSJ What’s News Why Latin America Wants Change in Venezuela
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Jan 6, 2026 Carlos Solar, a senior research fellow at RUSI specializing in Latin American security, delves into Venezuela's political turmoil. He discusses the new interim president's challenges amid Maduro's lingering influence and the CIA's grim assessment of the opposition's strength. Solar highlights the regional push for regime change, driven by concerns over crime spillover, and emphasizes the pivotal role of U.S. officials like Marco Rubio in shaping responses. With eight million Venezuelans displaced, the implications for regional stability are profound.
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Pragmatic Engagement With Regime Figures
- The CIA judged Delcy Rodríguez and Maduro's inner circle best placed to maintain order after Maduro's arrest.
- Carlos Solar says engaging Rodríguez could be the pragmatic route to steer Venezuela toward redemocratization.
Combine Pressure With Dialogue
- Pressure the Venezuelan regime while maintaining dialogue with Delcy Rodríguez to nudge political change.
- Solar recommends combining pressure with negotiation rather than leniency or isolation alone.
Migration Fuels Regional Security Concerns
- Eight million Venezuelans have fled, spreading criminal networks across Latin America and worsening regional insecurity.
- Solar argues regional leaders favor regime change to stop criminal spillover, regardless of political alignment with the U.S.