U.S. spy agencies believe that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro will likely retain power this year in the country, as his grip on its electoral institutions and willingness to use that power in his favor will be enough to feign off any attempts from the opposition in this year's elections.
The conclusion comes from the agencies "Annual Threat Assessment" report, which was unclassified this week. It names other cards Maduro holds in his hand to ensure victory: the banning of "top opposition candidates, restricted media coverage of opposition politicians" and the placement of "close allies in the National Electoral Council to ensure Maduro's victory while also trying to avoid blatant fraud."
