The Breakdown 26

• María Corina Machado, a prominent Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner, has rallied behind the Trump administration's aggressive strategy to topple Nicolás Maduro’s regime, emphasizing the need for decisive action to restore democracy in Venezuela.
• Demonstrating her commitment, Machado endorsed U.S. actions like the seizure of Venezuelan oil tankers, believing these pressures are crucial to undermining the embattled government, which she asserts is on the brink of collapse.
• A daring covert operation led by a U.S. veteran successfully extracted Machado from Venezuela, allowing her to attend the Nobel Prize ceremony in Norway, amid fears for her safety from the regime.
• The Maduro government has retaliated by accusing the U.S. of launching cyberattacks aimed at destabilizing the country, illustrating the high stakes involved in this conflict over resources and power.
• Reports suggest a fracture within the Venezuelan military, with members reaching out to Machado's opposition, hinting at a possible shift in loyalty that could further challenge Maduro's grip on power.
• The involvement of the U.S. in Venezuelan affairs raises concerns among critics about potential escalation into broader conflict, as regional dynamics shift in response to the intensifying struggle for control.