RIO DE JANEIRO — Four years ago, virtually all of Latin America lined up against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
When he claimed victory in a 2018 election widely viewed as fraudulent, most of the region’s nations, goaded by Washington, called for his removal.
The authoritarian ruler, whose government has stifled dissent and tortured political opponents, prepared to flee into political exile. Opposition leader Juan Guaidó, recognized by the United States and more than 50 other governments as Venezuela’s rightful leader, was set to take over as president.
