Maduro frequently changing beds, cellphones, amid fear of US strike

President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela has tightened his personal security, including changing beds, and leaned on Cuba, a key ally, amid a growing threat of a US military intervention in the country, according to multiple people close to the Venezuelan government.

- Anatoly Kurmanaev

Maduro waving a Venezuelan flag during a rally in Caracas on Dec 1. He has reduced his participation in scheduled events and live broadcasts, and replaced them with spontaneous public appearances and recorded messages.

(PHOTO: ADRIANA LOUREIRO FERNANDEZ/ NYTIMES)

They described an atmosphere of tension and concern gripping his inner circle while adding that Mr Maduro believed he remained in control and could ride out the latest and gravest threat to his 12-year rule.

He has tried to protect himself from a potential precision strike or a special forces raid by frequently changing sleeping locations and cellphones, the people noted.

Those precautions have accelerated since September, some of the people said, when the United States started amassing warships and striking boats the Trump administration claims were smuggling drugs from Venezuela.

To reduce the risk of betrayal, Mr Maduro has expanded the role of Cuban bodyguards in his personal security detail and attached more Cuban counterintelligence officers to Venezuela's military, one of the people added.

In public, Mr Maduro has sought to downplay Washington's threats by conveying a nonchalant, relaxed appearance, showing up for public events unannounced, dancing and posting propaganda videos on Tik-Tok.

The seven people close to the Venezuelan government who were interviewed for this article spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fear of retribution or because they were not authorised to speak publicly.

The Trump administration has accused Mr Maduro of running a “narcoterrorist” cartel flooding the United States with drugs, a narrative that many current and former officials in Washington say is ultimately aimed at regime change.

Mr Trump, however, has combined threats against Venezuela with suggestions of a diplomatic solution. He and Mr Maduro spoke by phone in November to discuss a possible meeting.