Venezuela: In the Grip of a Political Stalemate

The standoff between the Venezuelan government and the political opposition shows no signs of ending in the next few months. The opposition coalition, known as the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD), will try to use its relative popularity with voters to pressure the government into allowing a recall referendum against President Nicolas Maduro or triggering an early presidential election. But besides organizing street protests to support these causes, the best the MUD can hope for is to present itself as a better alternative in future elections. The opposition will likely bide its time, waiting for Venezuela's economic crisis to further erode the government's approval ratings so that by the time regional elections take place in mid-2017, it may be in a position to benefit....