Venezuela finds itself at a critical juncture, with the disputed presidency of Nicolás Maduro raising concerns about escalating gang violence and a surge in migration to the United States. Opposition figures warn of dire consequences if Maduro maintains his grip on power, despite widespread belief that Edmundo González Urrutia won the 2024 election.

Opposition leader María Corina Machado, who recently called for public demonstrations demanding González's rightful installation as president, has cautioned that a continued Maduro presidency could trigger an exodus of millions of Venezuelans seeking refuge in the U.S. Machado stressed the urgency of the situation, emphasizing its implications for American security and the need for a solution to the regional migration crisis. She expressed hope that a change in leadership would allow Venezuelan migrants to return home voluntarily.

José Gustavo Arocha, a former Venezuelan military official, echoed these concerns, highlighting the potential for increased gang violence in the U.S. perpetrated by the Maduro-aligned Tren de Aragua. Arocha warned that Maduro might use the gang as a tool for coercion and to pressure the U.S. into easing sanctions and granting him legitimacy. He also predicted that deported migrants would likely find ways to return, utilizing established clandestine routes.

Security strategist Alberto Ray, who works with Machado, described the situation as highly volatile and directly linked the extent of Maduro's power to the presence of Tren de Aragua in the U.S. While acknowledging that the majority of Venezuelan migrants are law-abiding, Ray pointed to Maduro's alleged manipulation of migration flows to create instability in the U.S. He emphasized that even a small number of individuals associated with criminal organizations can significantly disrupt order and establish organized crime networks.

Ray urged both current and incoming U.S. administrations to take decisive action against Maduro for the benefit of both Venezuelans and Americans. He called for increased awareness of the situation in Venezuela and strict enforcement of existing sanctions against Maduro and his government. He believes the immediate future is crucial for determining the outcome of this political standoff.