The incoming Trump administration wants regime change in Venezuela, where dictator Nicolás Maduro stole his election, jailed a rival and this month even threatened to invade the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico.

Maduro’s inauguration seals an election outcome that opposition politicians and the US government say was stolen.

Without Damascus, the crucial Iran-Syria-Caracas transport corridor, Maduro’s leverage with Iran is diminished. And Iran, weakened by its war with Israel and in retreat to reassess military priorities, is unlikely to provide military cover for Venezuela.

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro announced the detention of three Ukrainians days before his inauguration, calling them "mercenaries" and accusing them of plotting a terrorist attack, Spanish news agency EFE reported on Jan.

The head of a leading Venezuelan human rights group was released from detention Thursday, his NGO said, after nine days in custody following a crackdown on critics of President Nicolas Maduro.

As Nicolás Maduro is inaugurated for a controversial third term, Bolton urges the incoming administration to isolate the strongman on the world stage.

Edmundo González Urrutia is trying to bolster international support before Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro is sworn in Friday.

Nicolas Maduro’s grip on Venezuela continues to be a crisis not only for his people but for the entire Western Hemisphere.

But Trump has voiced an interest in deporting Venezuelan migrants who have entered the United States illegally, and to do so could possibly require him to cut deals with Maduro. Maduro also has several Americans in his custody that he seems poised to use as a bargaining chip.

Vladimir Putin congratulates Nicolás Maduro, defying U.S. sanctions, as tensions rise over a $25 million bounty for the Venezuelan leader.- Watch Video on English Oneindia

The United States on Friday imposed new sanctions on eight Venezuelan officials and increased to $25 million the reward it is offering for the arrest of President Nicolas Maduro on the day of his inauguration to a third term following a disputed election last year.