Hitting Venezuela's Government Where It Hurts

Increasingly, the worries of Venezuela's government are extending beyond the domestic political opposition. Not yet two months into his tenure, U.S. President Donald Trump has demonstrated his intention to increase the pressure on Venezuela's government, whose imperatives are at odds with those of his own administration. Washington appears ready to impose further sanctions on Venezuelan officials and entities, perhaps even against the country's vital state oil and natural gas company, Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA). Trump, moreover, has already discussed the matter with regional leaders, including the presidents of Peru, Argentina, Colombia and Panama. As the political left loses both influence and elected offices across Latin America, right-leaning governments across the region may be more willing to heed Washington and take a tougher stance on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's administration. Venezuela's leaders, in turn, could find themselves facing a regionwide challenge to their continued rule....