Venezuela’s Maduro maintains power through a system punishing disloyalty with prison and torture while enriching loyal military leaders and officials, keeping his inner circle unified.

Despite U.S. military strikes on Venezuelan vessels, $50-million bounties and an economic crisis, Venezuela’s military and ruling coalition remain steadfastly loyal to Maduro.

Experts say authoritarian leaders conduct public displays of unity to prevent rifts, a strategy that has repeatedly thwarted U.S. efforts to destabilize the Chavismo government.

CARACAS, Venezuela — English phrases once bothered Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro so much that he urged his State of the Union address audience to phase out words like “skatepark” and “fashion.”

But as the White House threatens a potential U.S. milit

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