Americast – Americanswers: On 5 Live! Could Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro be found not guilty in a US court?

Podcast: Americast (BBC News)
Date: January 5, 2026
Hosts: Sarah Smith, Justin Webb, Marianna Spring, Anthony Zurcher
Special Guests/Contributors: Listeners/callers from around the UK

Episode Overview

In this episode of Americast, the team dives into the dramatic capture and trial of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in the US, fielding questions live from listeners as part of their “Americanswers” segment on BBC 5 Live. With Maduro in a New York courtroom, US policy in Venezuela, the future of regional power dynamics, and reactions among American voters (especially Trump’s MAGA base) all come under scrutiny. Listeners also ask about Trump’s ambitions in Greenland, US oil company interests, the use of Mar-a-Lago as a command center, and broader implications for America's self-image and global role.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Who is "Running" Venezuela – US Policy and Political Showmanship

• Listener Mary from Kentucky asks what Trump means by "the US will run Venezuela"—is it actual military oversight, or policy guidance?
• Marco Rubio clarifies (02:59):

  “Well, it's not running the, it's running policy... we want Venezuela to move in a certain direction because not only do we think it's good for the people of Venezuela, it's in our national interest.”

• Donald Trump is more direct (03:47):

  “It means we're in char... We're in charge.”

• Analysis:
  Rubio takes a cautious, procedural stance, emphasizing policy over direct rule, likely to assuage international and domestic concerns. Trump remains blunt and performs to his base with claims of authority and action. The contrast between their approaches reflects internal US political calculations (see 04:13–06:18 discussion).

2. Implications for Marco Rubio and US Politics

• Rubio’s deep ties to the region and his ambitions (potential 2028 presidential run), mean that he’s heavily invested in how this plays out (06:18–09:24).
• Anthony Zurcher:

  “This is his reputation on the line and this is his moment... This is his chance to show what he can do.” (07:17)

• Other Republican figures like JD Vance are also entangled in the drama via public defenses of the Venezuela intervention.

3. Risks of Lawlessness and "Owning" Venezuela’s Problems

• The show explores the risk that removing Maduro and disrupting Venezuelan governance could make the US responsible for ensuing chaos (09:25–10:20).
• Justin Webb:

  “My goodness, it's lawless… The risk that that lawlessness becomes more widespread... The extent to which they then own that, it seems to me, is a really big deal.”

4. Could Maduro Be Found Not Guilty in a US Court?

• Caller Ollie asks if the trial is a mere formality or if Maduro could win (11:17–12:57).
• Anthony Zurcher:

  “I don't think it's a foregone conclusion. He's definitely going to fight it... There is a chance he could win. We haven't seen the evidence against him per se... There are, I'm sure, some procedural objections... but there is precedent for the US going into a foreign country and arresting someone.”

• Reference to Manuel Noriega’s precedent and the irony of ex-Honduran President’s recent Trump pardon adds historical depth.

5. The MAGA Base and Interventionism

• Voice note from Ellie: Will MAGA supporters back Trump even as he does the opposite of his “no more wars” message? (13:57–15:33)
• Marianna Spring’s analysis (Undercover Voters):

  “A lot of the edits you’re seeing on social media are... very patriotic, you know, America First, Donald Trump as the hero, military imagery...[but] we’re in a slightly gray area where people aren't sure what's going to happen next. They're still in the 'let's celebrate' phase...” (14:19)

• Justin Webb:

  “Right at the beginning of the Trump phenomenon... there was a lot of research into whether people's feelings about an issue would change when they knew Trump supported it... they did change a lot.” (15:51)

6. Splits in Trump’s Base – Marjorie Taylor Greene

• Famous Trump ally/critic Marjorie Taylor Greene is cited as evidence of internal rifts (16:28–17:48).
• Justin Webb:

  “MAGA is split... There are people... who are now genuinely worried. And [Greene] immediately brought out a statement... saying this is not what we elect this guy to do.”

7. Trump’s Global Ambitions: Greenland

• Caller Joy: Is Trump now emboldened to “take over Greenland” post-Venezuela? What about US oil company intentions? (18:02)
• Trump (quoted):

  “Right now, Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships… We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security. And Denmark is not going to be able to do it.” (18:44)

• Anthony Zurcher:

  “Given what the US has done in Venezuela... I think, yes, you have to start thinking they are serious about it... Increasing pressure is going to put strains on NATO and US-European relations.” (19:30)

• Unites both the “hard power” and “erratic Trump” themes.

8. Oil Companies and Venezuela

• Anthony Zurcher:

  “Trump says they're ready, champing at the bit to get in there... but oil execs seem more reluctant. The infrastructure is degraded... the oil isn’t easy to refine... price isn’t high. It may not turn out as the Trump administration hopes.” (22:27)

9. Why Mar-a-Lago? The "Command Center"

• Listener Tomo (Discord): Is it odd Trump’s press conference was at Mar-a-Lago and not the White House? (23:26–24:57)
• Anthony Zurcher:

  “He did. He was in Mar-a-Lago... big black curtains pulled around some part... watching on video screens. There's a big video screen showing an X feed—they were also monitoring social media.”

• Trump’s comfort and precedent for doing major operations outside of the White House are discussed, including security implications.

10. Public Perception: Is Trump “Gambling with World War 3”?

• Caller Judith from Surrey:

  “It feels... as though that particular boot [of risking WW3] is now firmly on President Trump’s own foot. What is the prevailing view in America, please?” (25:45)

• Anthony Zurcher:

  “The American public is reluctant for increased involvement in Venezuela. The Trump administration is trying to make the case... but there’s some real concern, even among Trump supporters.” (26:12)

• Justin Webb:

  “I think it makes World War III less likely, actually, this kind of action... it suggests... the US is capable... and has a president who is willing to use US force.” (27:15)

11. Is Trump Now Openly “Imperial”?

• Caller Tim from Solihull: Has Trump “shed his suit to reveal himself nakedly as a busted flush” [i.e., an open imperialist]? (28:10)
• Anthony Zurcher:

  “A willingness to use American power regardless of what the rest of the world thinks... If that's imperialism... then, yes, although that is not the way the Trump administration would describe it.” (28:30)

• Justin Webb:

  “Trump sees America as an entity, not as an ideological force for good... if that’s imperial, then it’s imperial.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Donald Trump (on “being in charge” in Venezuela):

  “Don’t ask me who’s in charge, because I’ll give you an answer and it’ll be very controversial... It means we’re in charge.” (03:47)

• Marco Rubio (on US interests):

  “We want Venezuela to move in a certain direction... it’s in our national interest.” (02:59)

• Anthony Zurcher (on Rubio’s position):

  “This is his reputation on the line and this is his moment… he may see this as a launching point for a 2028 campaign.” (07:17)

• Marianna Spring (on social media reactions):

  “Right now we’re in this slightly gray area where people aren’t quite sure what’s going to happen next. They’re still in the ‘let’s celebrate’ phase...” (14:19)

• Justin Webb (on public opinion following Trump):

  “Feelings about an issue would change when they knew Trump supported it... they did change a lot.” (15:51)

• Anthony Zurcher (on US oil money):

  “The oil in Venezuela isn’t easy to refine... it may not turn out quite the way the Trump administration hopes.” (22:27)

• Donald Trump (on Greenland):

  “You know what Denmark did recently to boost security in Greenland? They added one more dog sled.” (18:44)

• Anthony Zurcher (on Mar-a-Lago as a command center):

  “He was in Mar-a-Lago... watching on video screens... monitoring what people were saying on social media.” (23:46)

• Justin Webb (on US power):

  “The US is capable of doing this kind of thing, but also has a president who is willing to use US force.” (27:15)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 01:55 - Listener Mary asks about US intentions in Venezuela
• 02:59 - Rubio on the US “running” Venezuela
• 03:47 - Trump on who’s “in charge”
• 04:57–07:17 - Rubio's role and ambitions; US policy implementation
• 11:17 - Ollie asks: Can Maduro win in US court?
• 13:57 - Ellie questions if the MAGA base will support Trump’s interventionism
• 14:19 - Marianna Spring on MAGA and social media response
• 16:28–17:48 - MAGA splits; Marjorie Taylor Greene's critique
• 18:02 - Joy on Trump & Greenland; oil company questions
• 18:44 - Trump on Greenland and NATO
• 22:27 - US oil companies and Venezuela reality check
• 23:26 - Tomo on Trump running things from Mar-a-Lago
• 25:45 - Judith: Is Trump now risking world war?
• 28:10 - Tim: Has Trump become openly imperial?

Tone, Style, and Structure

• The presenters maintain a conversational style, mixing sharp analysis with humor and real-time reactions to audience questions.
• Frequent referencing of recent real-world events and analogizing with history (Noriega, Iraq) make the complex political landscape accessible.
• The overall tone is probing but retains the characteristic BBC calm and seriousness mixed with moments of levity and self-awareness (“phone call between friends”, Vanilla Ice at Mar-a-Lago).

Takeaways for New Listeners

If you haven’t followed the blow-by-blow of US-Venezuela relations or American domestic politics, this episode provides a comprehensive, accessible breakdown of a rapidly evolving, high-stakes geopolitical saga, while also capturing the anxiety, confusion, and shifting allegiances within both American and international audiences. Questions around legality, democracy, and global power projection are filtered through both elite and grassroots perspectives, making for a rich, multifaceted analysis.