Washington / Caracas, December 9, 2025 – TNA – Donald J. Trump's declaration that “the days of Nicolás Maduro are numbered” set off alarms in Caracas this morning and paved the way for a new diplomatic — and perhaps military — escalation in the bilateral conflict that keeps Venezuela and the United States on edge. However, the shadow of military pressure, the collapse of air bridges, and the gradual isolation complicate any maneuver to provide support. In parallel, the nomination of Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado for the Nobel Peace Prize adds a new symbolic dimension to the crisis: her potential international visibility could strengthen the narrative of regime transition and replacement, which in turn could fuel the “bet” of the United States. The scenario that is emerging is neither clean nor safe. Under these circumstances, the majority of international airlines suspended their flights to Venezuela. The fate of the gambler — in this case, Trump and his supporters — is already being played for very high stakes.
