Biden is finishing strong on Venezuela before handing off to Trump

The brief detention of María Corina Machado on Jan. 9, 2025, could have easily ended in tragedy. Often called the “Iron Lady” of Venezuela’s opposition, Machado was seized by security forces while leading protests against Nicolás Maduro. Her swift release was a small victory, but her abduction underscored the dangers for Venezuela’s democratic leaders. It also marked a pivotal moment for U.S. policy toward Venezuela, showing how far the Biden administration has come in the past eight months — from naive diplomacy to a pragmatic, strategic and muscular approach.

In his final days in office, Biden has a rare opportunity to leave a lasting legacy in Latin America.

His administration’s early approach to Venezuela was rooted in wishful thinking. The White House believed partial sanctions relief and dialogue with Maduro could lead to democratic reforms. This approach assumed Maduro could be coaxed into holding free and fair elections. Predictably, Maduro responded by ramping up repression, attacking opposition figures like Machado, and either ignoring or only partially fulfilling agreements such as the Barbados Accord.

Washington’s mistakes were clear. Biden offered concessions without securing real commitments and underestimating Maduro’s brutality. The initial approach allowed Maduro to strengthen his grip on power while mocking U.S. efforts to promote democracy.

But something changed eight months ago. After realizing Maduro would not honor diplomatic agreements, the administration pivoted to a more pragmatic strategy. In April 2024, the U.S. allowed a temporary license authorizing oil transactions with Venezuela’s state-owned PDVSA to expire after Maduro failed to meet commitments for free and fair elections under the Barbados Agreement. The non-renewal of this license marked a shift toward stricter enforcement and sent a clear message that economic incentives would not be granted without meaningful progress.

In his final days in office, Biden has taken steps to impose new sanctions on Maduro’s inner circle, including key members of the security forces. The Department of the Treasury has sanctioned dozens of individuals for their roles in repression, in addition to the visa restrictions placed on nearly 2,000 Maduro-aligned individuals. The State Department also increased bounties for the arrests of Maduro, Diosdado Cabello and Vladimir Padrino López, offering up to $25 million each for Maduro and Cabello, with a new $15 million reward for Padrino López, signaling that accountability would be pursued aggressively.

The administration also prioritized humanitarian relief. The Department of Homeland Security extended Temporary Protected Status for 600,000 Venezuelans through Oct. 2, 2026, allowing eligible nationals to live and work in the U.S. The extension, coupled with automatic renewal of work authorization documents, provided vital protections for those fleeing Maduro’s repression. This move not only addressed a pressing humanitarian need but also reinforced U.S. support for the Venezuelan people.

Biden’s policy shift culminated in a meeting between Biden and Edmundo González Urrutia during a Washington blizzard on Jan. 6. His recognition of González as Venezuela’s rightful president following his victory in the contested 2024 election demonstrated the administration’s renewed commitment to support the opposition’s push for a peaceful democratic transition. These measures marked a clear break from earlier naivety and highlighted a deliberate, strategic approach to Venezuela.

González’s safety and ability to assume the presidency will be a critical test of whether Maduro’s regime continues to act with impunity — or whether international pressure can help the opposition crack the dictatorship.

Both Maduro and President-elect Trump face dilemmas. Maduro seeks a deal with Trump to ease sanctions and stabilize Venezuela’s economy. But imprisoning opposition leaders like Machado or González would destroy any chance of engagement.

For Trump, Maduro’s defiance presents an early test of strength. Will he confront a defiant authoritarian in the Americas, or allow Maduro to cling to power, undermining U.S. influence? Trump cannot afford to appear weak, but his broader agenda — repatriating millions of undocumented immigrants, reviewing the Panama Canal Treaty, and floating ideas like acquiring Greenland or even turning Canada into the 51st state — suggests that Venezuela may not remain a priority.

For Biden, the stakes couldn’t be clearer. In his final days in office, his pivot toward a more pragmatic, strategic policy has helped to create an opening for democratic change in Venezuela. His efforts to impose stronger sanctions, extend humanitarian protections, and recognize opposition leaders have laid the groundwork for Trump. The situation remains fluid, but Biden’s most important legacy may be the credibility he built by proving that U.S. support for Venezuela’s democracy was more than symbolic.

Carl Meacham, former senior Republican staff member for the Western Hemisphere on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is an international consultant.

Topics

Biden says he is "leaving the next administration with a very strong hand"

When President Biden took office four years ago, he sought to reassure global allies and reestablish foreign treaties from which the Trump administration had withdrawn.
CBS News - 1d
Biden Issues Sweeping Deportation Protections Before Trump Takes Office

The move allows hundreds of thousands of people from Sudan, Ukraine, El Salvador and Venezuela to stay in the country temporarily.
The New York Times - 4d
Biden refuses to recognize Maduro as Venezuela's elected president

Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro was sworn in for a third term as president, despite widespread doubts over the legitimacy of the country's election results. Many world leaders, like President ...
CBS News - 4d
He plans to be sworn in as Venezuela’s president, and he hopes both Biden and Trump will help him

Edmundo González Urrutia is trying to bolster international support before Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro is sworn in Friday.
Politico - Jan. 7
Venezuela opposition leader says he had fruitful meeting with Biden, in contact with Trump team

González, who says he won a July presidential election, is recognized by multiple countries as president-elect as President Nicolás Maduro is set to be inaugurated for a third term.
NBC News - Jan. 6
Biden bans new drilling in US coastal waters weeks before Trump handover

Ban includes entire Atlantic coast, eastern Gulf of Mexico, Pacific coast off California, Oregon and Washington, and part of Bering Sea. Joe Biden has banned offshore drilling across an immense ...
The Guardian - Jan. 6
E.V. Demand Leads Automakers to a Strong 2024 Finish

General Motors was the biggest winner in U.S. sales in the final quarter, with a gain of 21 percent. It more than doubled its electric vehicle sales.
The New York Times - Jan. 3
Fantasy Football Playoffs Week 18 Start 'Em & Sit 'Em: Zach Charbonnet finishes strong, plus sleepers

Plus start/sit decisions for every position
CBS Sports - Jan. 2