As Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro prepares to take office for a third term, critics emphasize the ongoing imprisonment of political opponents, including several Americans. The U.S. government has expressed concern over the conditions faced by these detainees amidst allegations of Maduro's oppressive regime. Analyst view these events as part of a broader strategy to maintain control as domestic dissent grows. The American detainees' situation complicates potential diplomatic efforts by the incoming Trump administration, which faces criticisms about previous policies toward Venezuela and the regime's recent actions targeting foreign nationals.