Aid for Venezuela to Test Military\'s Support for Maduro

Aid for Venezuela to Test Military’s Support for Maduro

The army’s support has allowed the authoritarian leader to hold power despite hyperinflation, food shortages and a steep economic contraction

CARACAS, Venezuela—The U.S. government and Venezuela’s opposition are preparing humanitarian aid shipments for the crisis-stricken country, setting the stage for a showdown with authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro as his military backers face rising international pressure.

Over the weekend, USAID administrator Mark Green posted images on Twitter of hundreds of boxes carrying food for malnourished Venezuelan children and bearing a U.S. flag being loaded on to pallets for delivery. Meanwhile, Mr. Maduro’s detractors began working...