I believe that we have all atrophied our sense of smell, because the regime is more alive than ever

Very true. I do believe many people have an uncanny sense of anticipation to read people and events; but in this day and age, it has become increasingly difficult to aticipate or predict anything. We cannot even know whether a fact is a fact. There is never a way to know for sure whether an event actually happen, why and its real participanst and implications.
We can't trust anyone. We can't never tell for sure who is telling the truth and who is using us for some hidden agenda. In that scenario, it is easier for totalitarian regimes such as Maduro's to perpetuate itself. Cuba has done it, Russia has done it, China has done it... and it goes on and on... No fortune teller predicted that or their demise for that matter