Even Moscow is looking for the exits on Nicolás Maduro—but the Venezuelan dictator is not going anywhere.
According to reporting by Spanish newspaper ABC, Russia floated an offer to the United States to facilitate Maduro's departure from Venezuela in exchange for sanctions relief and guarantees for Russian energy interests in the country.
Maduro rejected the proposal outright, sources familiar with the negotiations told the newspaper. He has no intention of leaving power voluntarily—even if his most powerful international backer would prefer he did.
Why Moscow wants Maduro gone
Russia has been Venezuela's lifeline for years, providing diplomatic cover at the United Nations, arms sales, and energy sector support. But Maduro has become a liability.
His government is so dysfunctional that even Russia's investments are at risk. Venezuela's oil production has collapsed from 3.5 million barrels per day in the 1990s to under 800,000 today. The country cannot maintain its own infrastructure, let alone service its debts to Moscow.
Worse, Maduro's grip on power is so tenuous that Russia must constantly prop him up—militarily, diplomatically, economically. That was manageable when oil prices were high and Russia had cash to spare. Now, with Russia focused on Ukraine and its economy strained by sanctions, is an expensive distraction.
