Venezuela’s opposition appears to be losing its battle for democracy as that once-prosperous nation moves along a natural path from populism to dictatorship.

President Nicolas Maduro has instructed the members of his government and the military to go ahead with the constituent assembly on Sunday, despite this week’s 48-hour general strike. He was not deterred by U.S. sanctions imposed against 13 high ranked public officials, including the Minister of the Interior, the Ombudsman, and the President of the National Electoral Council. Nor has growing international pressure from regional organizations (e.g. Mercosur, Organization of American States) and human rights NGOs (e.g. Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International) done anything to stop him.