The possibility of overthrowing is a constant topic in the global debate in recent weeks. With the new policy towards Venezuela of the president of the United States, Donald Trump, characterized by a , the security of the Chavista president is under the magnifying glass. Today, Maduro remains in power, but what about tomorrow? “We know where the bad guys live,” the White House tenant said yesterday. Was he referring to the drug traffickers of the Cartel of the Suns or to ?
The North American newspaper – one of the most awarded in the US, with 132 Pulitzer Prizes until 2021, more than any other media – published an analysis this Wednesday in which it reveals how the president is trying to avoid the Trumpist hunt, if he undertakes it. “The possible US military action has confronted the president of Venezuela with the most serious challenge of a mandate plagued by crises,” he says.
The newspaper details that Maduro has reinforced his personal security, “including a change of beds,” and has relied on Cuba, “a key ally.” This is stated by its reporter Anatoly Kurmanaev after contacting “multiple people close to the Venezuelan Government.” The report speaks of “an atmosphere of tension and concern hanging over the president’s inner circle”, although, when the mood is touched, it is explained that Hugo Chávez’s successor believes that he still maintains control and can “overcome the most recent and serious threat to his Government” in recent years.
International analysts, starting with the North Americans, are exposing these days that Trump could order a surgical attack on Venezuela, which could search for drug storage points, property of the cartels, or landing and take-off strips for his planes and piers to take the merchandise by sea, but the possibility – more remote – that he launches a precision operation against the Venezuelan president is also being considered. For example, with a special forces raid.
“To reduce the risk of betrayal, Maduro has also expanded the role of Cuban bodyguards in his personal security team and has incorporated more Cuban counterespionage agents into the Venezuelan army,” the text adds.
This is what has led Maduro to “frequently change the place where he sleeps and his cell phone.” Some “precautions” that were in place before, but that have been intensified since September. What happened then? That Washington began its attacks on ships supposedly belonging to drug traffickers – of which it has not provided any evidence, to the anger even of the moderates -, which have already left at least 83 dead, “extrajudicial executions”, in the opinion of the Democratic opposition.
Despite this, Maduro maintains his public agenda and tries to launch an image of fierceness and unity. His image is “carefree and relaxed, appearing at public events without prior notice, dancing and publishing propaganda videos on TikTok.” In one of his most recent appearances at the Miraflores Palace, to swear in new community organizations, there was, for example, a massive presence of citizens with dolls of the Ken-like superhero that has been marketed for years.
A supporter of Nicolás Maduro holds a figure of Super Bigote, the superhero inspired by the president, during an event at the Miraflores Palace, on December 1, 2025.
Why the risk is greater now
The risk that President Trump will order an attack on Maduro has increased due to a combination of intensified rhetoric, military pressure and the lack of a diplomatic solution following a , known this week. The risk of intervention is now greater because the US Administration has publicly accused Maduro of leading the Cartel of the Suns, an alleged drug trafficking organization, and has designated Venezuelan criminal groups under his mantle as . The US has offered a reward of $50 million for information leading to Maduro’s arrest because it understands that he directly leads that cartel.
Despite a telephone conversation between Trump and Maduro on November 21, 2025, talks on a possible negotiated departure for Maduro did not reach an agreement. According to reports in the North American press, the Republican gave him a one-week ultimatum to leave power, which did not happen. Then, he unilaterally ordered the closure of Venezuelan airspace; Although it has no powers to do so, it has scared the main airlines.
Trump has made the fight against the flow of drugs and illegal migration to his country key priorities of his second term and, in the case of Latin America, blames leaders like Maduro for both problems. Military action could be seen as a way to fulfill these electoral promises, even though his popularity is declining and he may not have full popular support.
