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Opinion
Mac Margolis

Venezuela’s Opposition Finds an Air Pocket

But its best hope of unseating an illegal regime still lies at the negotiating table.

Guaido points to the future.

Guaido points to the future.

Photographer: Edilzon Gamez/Getty Images South America
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For months now, Venezuelan politics has been trapped in toxic stalemate. Two men claim the same job — congressionally appointed interim president Juan Guaido, with all the street cred, and de facto head of state Nicolas Maduro, with all the guns.

Anti-government forces ostensibly control the legislature, but thanks to palace maneuvers their decisions don’t count. Each side is backed by rival global superpowers who play diplomatic chicken instead of encouraging conciliation.