WASHINGTON _ The excitement in some U.S. and foreign diplomatic circles about the rise of Juan Guaido and an expectation for the fall of Nicolas Maduro has been replaced by frustration over the Venezuelan leader's staying power and concerns of Russian and Chinese meddling, according to multiple diplomatic sources.
His staying power has led diplomats, foreign leaders and some Washington officials to reassess their timelines and consider that, barring military action, Maduro may be able to follow in the footsteps of other authoritarian leaders who have held onto power despite crushing sanctions.
"Maduro has definitely shown he is more resilient than what people thought. That's a fact," said one diplomat from Latin America, who was unauthorized to speak publicly about the regional strategy. "If you think about what the administration said about 'this is the end, this is the end,' and yet Maduro is still there."
