Global News Podcast – Captured Venezuelan leader Maduro in New York
BBC World Service | Host: Charlotte Gallagher | Date: January 4, 2026
Episode Overview
This urgent edition of the Global News Podcast covers the stunning capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by US special forces, his arrival in New York to face drug trafficking charges, and the international and domestic fallout from this unprecedented event. With voices from Caracas, Miami, Washington, and Colombia, the episode offers on-the-ground reactions, geopolitical speculation, and a sense of uncertainty gripping Venezuela and its neighbors.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Capture of Nicolás Maduro
(01:08–03:25)
- Maduro and his wife were seized in Venezuela and flown to New York by US special forces, facing charges of narco-trafficking and terrorism.
- Arrival footage showed him "dressed in gray, hands tied, eyes blindfolded" (01:55).
- Process in New York: He will be "processed and booked... and taken to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn" (Vanessa Silva, 02:37).
Notable Quote
“Despite the extraordinary circumstances... he will be treated just as any other criminal defendant of high profile has been treated in New York.”
— BBC Correspondent Vanessa Silva (02:37)
2. Venezuelan Reaction: Fear, Uncertainty, and Hope
(01:43–02:01, 06:08–12:24)
- In Caracas, “there is always this fear after things like this happen that we will start seeing anarchy...there are lots of armed people that have been given weapons.” (Venezuelan Resident, 01:43)
- Streets are described as "empty", with a pervasive sense of "uncertainty in the entire country for everyone... what will happen tomorrow, what will happen in the next hour? Nobody knows..." (BBC Announcer, 06:27)
- Many feel relief at Maduro’s ouster but fear chaos or retribution.
Notable Quote
“We are so fed up. I mean, we are so, so tired that we probably will respond in a positive way and not allow these things to happen... I have to say it, we do feel a kind of relief.”
— Venezuelan Resident in Caracas (10:36)
3. US Position and Trump's Statements
(03:25–10:17)
- Trump declared, “the US intends to run Venezuela until a transition can be achieved,” and is unafraid of “putting boots on the ground.” (Charlotte Gallagher, 07:17)
- Confusion about the nature of the US role and “lack of clarity” over how a transition of power will be managed, as well as who will lead Venezuela in the short term.
- Strong indications that access to Venezuelan oil is a US objective: “Trump sees one of the major objectives here as American access to Venezuela's oil well.” (Tom Bateman, 08:15)
Notable Quote
“He was going to send in US oil companies. That obviously is going to raise a lot of eyebrows.”
— Charlotte Gallagher (09:14)
“He says something now and tomorrow he changes his mind. I mean, I'm just grateful for what they did, taking Maduro out of here... at least we can see some light at the end of the tunnel.”
— Venezuelan Resident, on Trump's announcement (12:24)
4. International and Regional Reactions
(17:00–25:01)
- Colombia: Fears of renewed migration and violence along the border; Colombian armed forces mobilized.
- Regional Division: Latin American countries split—Mexico and Brazil decry the move as a violation of sovereignty; Argentina (President Milei) applauds it.
- UN and Global Response: UN Security Council to hold an emergency session; UK PM Keir Starmer denies UK involvement, calls for upholding international law; Russia and China condemn the US action.
Notable Quote
“There are many reasons why this is major in Colombia: migration, illegal armed groups, and even the probability of a US intervention here too.”
— Daniel Pardo, BBC Mundo (18:18)
“Many in Latin America were taught to be very concerned about this type of US feeling about the Monroe Doctrine.”
— Luis Fajardo, BBC Monitoring (23:15)
5. Celebrations and Mixed Feelings in the Venezuelan Diaspora
(13:32–23:10)
- Venezuelan expatriates in Miami express overwhelming relief and happiness.
- Some see the US action as the first step towards the possibility of returning home.
- Not all Latin Americans are supportive; concerns about US interventionism persist.
Notable Quote
“Thank you, President Trump... I’m so, so happy because now Venezuela is free.”
— Venezuelan Expatriate in Miami (13:32)
6. Venezuela’s Oil at the Heart of the Crisis
(16:14–18:01)
- Venezuela's vast oil reserves are central to both the US justification and global anxieties.
- Oil infrastructure is outdated and mismanaged; control of these resources is symbolically and practically important.
Notable Quote
“The infrastructure is old, it’s rotted... and we’re going to be replacing it and we’re going to take a lot of money out so that we can take care of the country.”
— President Trump, via Tom Bateman (16:14)
Timeline & Timestamps of Key Moments
- 01:08 – Episode begins; overview of Maduro’s capture.
- 02:37 – Process of booking Maduro in New York explained.
- 03:25 – Maduro’s denial of the charges; state of emergency declared.
- 04:10–04:43 – Visual confirmation of Trump and officials monitoring the operation.
- 06:27 – Scenes from Caracas: empty streets, uncertainty.
- 07:17–09:14 – US government’s stated intentions; Trump’s statements analyzed.
- 10:36–12:24 – Caracas resident’s perspective; mix of hope and skepticism toward US role.
- 13:32–13:39 – Reaction of Venezuelan expatriates in Miami.
- 16:14–18:01 – Venezuela’s oil industry, US motivations, and industry background.
- 18:18–21:18 – Colombia’s response; regional worries about power vacuum and security.
- 21:18–23:10 – Reactions among Latin American countries; diaspora perspectives.
- 25:01–26:53 – Global responses: UN, UK, Russia, and China.
Memorable Quotes & Their Speakers
-
“There is always this fear after things like this happen that we will start seeing anarchy... a lot of uncertainty for everyone.”
— Venezuelan Resident (01:43, 06:27) -
“It was a force against a heavily fortified military fortress in the heart of Caracas to bring outlaw dictator Nicolás Maduro to justice. It was dark and it was deadly.”
— BBC Correspondent Tom Bateman (04:20) -
“I don’t want to take seriously his words because you know how he is... at least we can see some light at the end of the tunnel.”
— Venezuelan Resident (12:24) -
“Thank you, President Trump. I’m so, so happy because now Venezuela is free.”
— Venezuelan Expatriate in Miami (13:32) -
“Many in Latin America, more than any other region, have serious nationalistic concerns about their relationship with the US.”
— Luis Fajardo, BBC Monitoring (23:15)
Tone
The episode maintains a factual and urgent tone, punctuated by interviews that reveal fear, relief, skepticism, and profound uncertainty among Venezuelans and the wider region. The reporting strives for clarity amid a rapidly evolving crisis, while voicing diverse perspectives and anxieties.
Takeaways for Listeners
- The US-led operation to capture Nicolás Maduro marks a seismic, unpredictable moment for Venezuela and Latin America.
- Venezuelans, both at home and abroad, express a cautious mix of relief and anxiety about their nation’s unstable future.
- The presence and control of oil, and shifting geopolitical priorities, are as central to the crisis as political freedom and justice.
- Reactions across the region—and the world—are deeply divided, with legal, humanitarian, and strategic consequences likely to unfold for months and years to come.