Venezuela’s military may become Maduro’s downfall

Edition: US - Today's top story: How much longer will Maduro's grip on power last? Look to the military [Click here to view this message in your web-browser](. Edition: US 17 August 2017 [[The Conversation]Academic rigor, journalistic flair]( Editor's note Just how long can Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro hold on to power and ignore the growing humanitarian crisis in his country? As long as he has the loyalty and support of the Venezuelan military, argues Latin America expert David Pion-Berlin of UC Riverside. Military soldiers have now reportedly been seen begging for food and joining protesters in the opposition. Pion-Berlin writes that history has shown time and again that the minute the military decides to withdraw its support of a leader, [the clock on his power trip begins to count down](. With health care in limbo and uncertainty over the future of special subsidies that helped low-income people pay for health insurance, people are looking for solutions to a looming crisis. One option that’s been touted is for states to try to create their own single-payer systems. But argues Simon Haeder of West Virginia University, [there are many reasons why that’s unlikely to work](. In June, Otto Warmbier, an American college student, who had gone on a tour to North Korea and been arrested, died upon his return home. Daniel B. Bitran of Holy Cross [explains why people are drawn to “dark tourism”]( and go to places associated with disasters, acts of violence, or crimes against humanity. Danielle Douez Associate Editor, Politics + Society Top story Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro (center) attends a graduation of National Armed Forces. Miraflores Palace/Handout via REUTERS [How much longer will Maduro's grip on power last? Look to the military]( David Pion-Berlin, University of California, Riverside The loyalty of Venezuela’s soldiers is getting shaky. 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