As a journalist, I can report that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has managed to sidestep US pressure and bask in the regional limelight. Despite facing sanctions and diplomatic isolation from the United States, Maduro has managed to maintain strong ties with other countries in the region, including Cuba, Nicaragua, and Bolivia.

Maduro’s recent trip to Cuba, where he met with President Miguel Diaz-Canel, was seen as a significant show of support for the embattled Venezuelan leader. The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen ties between their countries and reaffirmed their commitment to the principles of socialism.

Maduro has also received support from other countries in the region, including Mexico and Argentina, which have refused to recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela’s legitimate president. This has allowed Maduro to maintain a degree of legitimacy and continue to govern despite the ongoing political crisis in the country.

However, Maduro’s continued grip on power has come at a significant cost to the Venezuelan people, who continue to suffer from hyperinflation, food and medicine shortages, and a deteriorating healthcare system. The United Nations estimates that more than 4 million Venezuelans have fled the country in recent years, creating a humanitarian crisis that shows no signs of abating.

As a journalist, it is important to remain objective and report on all sides of the story. While Maduro’s ability to maintain regional support is noteworthy, it is also important to highlight the ongoing suffering of the Venezuelan people and the need for a peaceful resolution to the country’s political crisis.