State of the World from NPR The U.S. Escalates Pressure on Venezuela
Nov 20, 2025
In this discussion, John Otis, an NPR reporter specializing in Venezuelan politics, analyzes President Nicolás Maduro's survival tactics including his crackdowns and military restructuring. Kerry Khan shares poignant stories from the Colombia-Venezuela border, highlighting the fears and hardships faced by migrants amid U.S. military pressure. Those on the ground express mixed feelings about potential U.S. intervention, worried about its impact on stability and their uncertain futures.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
U.S. Buildup Could Backfire
- The U.S. has assembled its largest Caribbean military presence in decades as part of pressure on Nicolás Maduro over alleged drug trafficking.
- John Otis argues that the buildup risks strengthening Maduro if he survives, allowing him to claim he stood up to U.S. pressure.
Maduro's Resilience Explained
- Maduro has survived sanctions, economic collapse, protest crackdowns, electoral fraud, and even a 2018 drone attack.
- John Otis highlights that these tactics and loyalty among officers have made him a resilient, coup-proofed leader.
Military Reorganization Foils Coups
- Maduro restructured the military into rotated regional units to prevent coordinated dissent among officers.
- Phil Gunson says this fragmentation makes organized coups very difficult to execute.