The opposition Democratic Unity Movement (MUD), which gained a two-thirds supermajority in the December 6 National Assembly elections, has outlined plans for removing Maduro, reversing economic strategy, freeing political prisoners and dismantling the Bolivarian Revolution. Maduro and the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) have responded with a flood of initiatives intended to anchor the socialist model and bypass the new Assembly.
Confrontation between the executive and Assembly shows no inclination to dialogue on crucial national issues.
Polarisation is drawing in other actors, including the Catholic Church, media, trade unions, social organisations and the military.
Divisions within both the PSUV and MUD will harden as strategy and priorities in both are determined by minority factions.
