After removing President Nicolas Maduro from power, the Trump administration is gambling that it can intimidate the Venezuelan leader's inner circle into toeing the U.S. line with threats of further military action that could put them at risk of a similar fate, according to sources familiar with the matter.

President Donald Trump’s advisers also believe they may be able to work behind the scenes with Interim President Delcy Rodriguez who, despite her public defiance, is seen as a technocrat who might be amenable to working with the U.S. on a political transition and key oil-related issues, according to three people briefed on the U.S. strategy.

The still-vague plan, however, faces numerous complicating factors, including how much further Trump ​is prepared to go militarily, raising questions about his ability to bend the post-Maduro Venezuelan government to his will.

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