Global News Podcast – Special Edition

Episode: President Trump says US captures Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro

Host: Oliver Conway (BBC World Service)
Date: January 3, 2026

Episode Overview

This urgent special edition of the Global News Podcast covers breaking developments in Venezuela following a dramatic U.S. military operation resulting in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. The episode explores the background and implications of the largest U.S. intervention in Latin America in decades, featuring expert commentary from correspondents in Caracas, Washington, and international analysts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The U.S. Attack and Capture of Maduro

• Summary of Events: In the early hours of January 3, 2026, U.S. forces launched airstrikes on Caracas and other Venezuelan cities. Explosions and military helicopter activity were widely reported.

• U.S. President Donald Trump announced via Truth Social that Maduro and his wife had been captured and flown out of Venezuela.

• Venezuelan Response: Venezuela declared a state of emergency, denouncing the action as a “colonial war” and demanding proof of life for Maduro and the First Lady.

  “In the face of this brutal situation and in the face of this brutal attack, we have no knowledge of the whereabouts of President Nicolas Maduro and the First Lady, Celia Flores. We demand from the Donald Trump government immediate proof of life for President Maduro and the First Lady.”
  — Vice President Delcy Rodriguez (03:47)

• Death Toll: Initial reports indicate both military personnel and civilians have been killed in the strikes.

2. On-the-Ground Reports from Caracas

• Eyewitness Account:
  Journalist Ana Vanessa Herrero describes hearing planes, explosions, shattering windows, and seeing smoke and widespread destruction, mentioning critical damage at the La Guayra port:

  “I started hearing the planes around 2am local time and I heard huge sound, a loud bang that moved all the windows...immediately after I saw huge smoke, a cloud of smoke...a lot of detonations.”
  — Ana Vanessa Herrero (04:27)

• Widespread Devastation: Key military installations and port infrastructure suffered significant damage; footage circulating on social media shows ruined cityscapes.

3. U.S. Motives and Historical Context

• Historical Framing: The episode draws parallels with earlier U.S. interventions in Latin America, suggesting this marks the boldest use of U.S. military force in the region since Panama in 1989.

• Changing Policies: Despite Trump's earlier promises to avoid foreign wars, Washington has spent months preparing and justifying action against Maduro.

  “He never has used the phrase regime change with Venezuela...it is clear that this is regime change in all but name.”
  — Lise Doucet, Chief International Correspondent (01:58, 16:35)

4. Reactions from the Region and Beyond

Latin America:

• Colombia: Deploying troops to the border, fearing spillover of violence and rebel activity.
• Argentina: President welcomes the U.S. intervention.
• Cuba & Russia: Strong condemnation and warnings.
• Left-leaning Governments: Expected to denounce intervention as a breach of sovereignty.

EU & Wider World:

• Mixed Sentiment: Some will welcome the removal of Maduro but voice concern about U.S. tactics and the precedent set.

  “But...what comes next is really going to be the key...Maduro remains a deeply unpopular figure across Latin America...but governments, especially of the left, will feel a duty to denounce this as a violation of national sovereignty.”
  — Dr. Christopher Sabatini, Chatham House (14:08)

5. Speculation and Uncertainty: ‘What Next?’

• Power Vacuum: The constitutional line of succession points to Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, but instability is likely, as Maduro’s inner circle remains.

• Opposition Leader: Maria Corina Machado, recent Nobel Peace Prize winner and in exile, is not expected to immediately step in—the path ahead is uncertain.

• Civil Unrest: Reports of armed militias threatening any public celebration, strict enforcement of the state of emergency.

  “The idea that the opposition are going to sweep in and assume power...is false. This will be a long, long journey.”
  — Mimi Swaby, Global Affairs Reporter (12:08)

• International Legal Action: U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announces indictments against Maduro and his wife in New York (21:35).

6. Implications for President Trump and U.S. Foreign Policy

• Domestic Reception: Mixed—conservative Cuban and Venezuelan American communities are expected to support the action, but only ~30% of Americans backed U.S. military intervention, per pre-attack polls.

  “President Trump has a lot of his constituency still to win over by the idea of this.”
  — Will Grant, America’s Correspondent (10:45)

• Regime Change Concerns: Contradiction between campaign promises for non-intervention vs. this dramatic move. Analysts note a return to the era of “gunboat diplomacy.”

• Trial of Maduro: Dramatic scenes expected if Maduro is tried in the U.S., echoing high-profile prosecutions of Latin American leaders.

  “All of the world's cameras will be on that if they are planning to make a show of this to make an example of President Maduro on drug trafficking charges.”
  — Lise Doucet (18:21)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Possible U.S. Inside Help:
  “We believe there may have been some kind of inside information...somebody quite close in Mr. Maduro's inner circle has turned on him...”
  — Will Grant (08:19)

• On Dangers of Power Transition:
  “But the idea that we'll know who will be the next leader of Venezuela is not going to be one which will be immediately answered. This is probably a question and an answer for days ahead.”
  — Mimi Swaby (12:08)

• On Dangers of Day After:
  “What about the day after? And there are all too many memories, very bad memories from what happened after the U.S.-led intervention in Iraq, what happened in the U.S.-led intervention in Afghanistan, that there was insufficient preparation for the day after.”
  — Lise Doucet (19:46)

Segment Timestamps

• [01:10] – Oliver Conway introduces breaking news and context
• [01:43] – Venezuelan VP Delcy Rodriguez calls for proof of life for Maduro
• [04:27] – Journalist Ana Vanessa Herrero reports eyewitness details from Caracas
• [06:21] – Will Grant discusses historic implications and regional fallout
• [08:19] – Grant on speculated inside help and U.S. operation details
• [09:59] – Initial aftermath and targeted sites
• [10:45] – U.S. domestic reactions and polling
• [12:08] – Mimi Swaby on future leadership and instability
• [14:08] – Dr. Christopher Sabatini analyzes international response
• [16:35] – Lise Doucet contextualizes Trump’s actions in history
• [18:21] – Prospects for Maduro’s trial in the U.S.
• [19:46] – Risks of post-Maduro transition (“the day after”)
• [21:35] – U.S. Attorney General indicts Maduro and wife

Tone and Language

The episode is urgent, factual, and analytic, with strong emphasis on historic gravity, uncertainty, and regional consequences. The tone is somber yet authoritative, highlighting both immediate events and the long view of Latin American geopolitics.

Summary

This episode delivers comprehensive, immediate coverage of the U.S. capture of Nicolas Maduro, analyzing the attack’s origins, execution, and explosive unknowns for Venezuela and the region. Through firsthand reporting, expert analysis, and a historical lens, listeners grasp both the gravity of the moment and the profound uncertainties ahead.