Venezuelan Insiders Claim Maduro Won't Relinquish Power Voluntarily Despite U.S. Pressure: 'Now It's Time For Trump To Move'

Venezuelan insiders claim that authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro won't relinquish power voluntarily despite increased pressure from the United States, according to a new report.

Speaking to Spanish outlet El Pais, one people with knowledge of the regime's thinking said "Maduro is not going anywhere." "Maduro has practically no other fate than resisting whatever comes and waiting for Trump to hesitate," the person added.

U.S. President Donald Trump has anticipated the possibility of escalating the situation further with strikes inside Venezuela territory. The administration has so far conducted at least four strikes off the country's coast and targeting vessels it claimed were transporting drugs that would ultimately in the U.S.

However, the report added, the South American country's leaders (Delcy and Jorge Rodriguez, Diosdado Cabello and Vladimir Padrino Lopez), along with Maduro, have "developed their survival instincts to the fullest after more than six years of governing in extreme situations," and think "this storm shall pass too."

Concretely, they believe that the cost of an armed clash would be too high for the U.S. and Trump will back down before getting to that point.

However, the officials remain defiant. Diosdado Cabello said during the weekend that "they have no idea who they're facing, we'll eat them alive."

Speaking at an event after checking troops and defense systems in different states, Cabello struck a defiant tone when addressing the tensions: "How much did it cost to the Spaniards taking the Caracas valley when facing Guaicapuro? 70 years! 70 years of fighting against our native people, who answered with body, soul, bravery and dignity," he added.

Cabello went on to say that even if the U.S. invades the country, "those who set foot in our land must know that we will kick you out."

In the meantime, the U.S. continues to increase its presence in the region, now seeking to install military equipment in Grenada, a country 100 miles from Venezuela.

Several reports throughout the past week have detailed other moves, including that there are now 10,000 troops deployed in the region. They are in Puerto Rico and aboard eight surface warships and a submarine.

Forces have been conducting drills and the U.S. has struck at least four vessels officials claim were carrying drugs that were ultimately set to reach the U.S.

The U.S. has also reportedly moved several military helicopters off the coast of Trinidad and Tobago.