“His regime is morally bankrupt, it’s economically incompetent and it is profoundly corrupt. It is undemocratic to the core.” That description could describe a lot of executive branches, but in this case Mike Pompeo is describing Venezuela’s president (or former president, depending on who you ask) Nicolás Maduro. In the past two years, leaders who fit that description have often been lauded by President Trump. What changed? NYT: President Trump has finally met a strongman he does not like.

+ The Economist: Why have Venezuelans turned against Nicolás Maduro? (Starvation, for starters.)

+ Bloomberg: Cocaine, Payola: How Maduro Keeps Top Military Brass in Line.

+ An excellent photo essay from InFocus: A Venezuelan Opposition Leader Declares Himself Interim President.