US officials: Venezuelan president's hold on power weakening

WASHINGTON – U.S. intelligence analysts are increasingly convinced that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is likely to be pushed aside by members of his own socialist movement before finishing his term.

Senior American intelligence officials said Friday that as Venezuela's economy spins out of control, Maduro's grip on power is more fragile. They briefed reporters on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss their assessments by name.

Since December, when the opposition won legislative elections by a landslide, the country has been wracked by growing political confrontation at a time of triple-digit inflation, food shortages and frequent blackouts.

They say that in such a combustible environment for Maduro, it's like hearing the ice cracking without knowing where the floor will collapse.