Podcast Summary: Rebel News Podcast

Episode: EZRA LEVANT | Daring U.S. raid on Venezuelan dictator shows President Trump's commitment to prosperity

Date: January 6, 2026

Host: Ezra Levant
Notable Guests: Reporter Alexa Lavoie, Miami Venezuelan exiles, City Councilor Rafael Piñero, Mayor Christine Fraga

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the dramatic U.S. military raid, ordered by President Donald Trump, to capture Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro directly from his palace. Ezra Levant analyzes the operation’s significance for U.S. prestige, American foreign policy (the revival of the "Monroe Doctrine"), global reactions, implications for Venezuela and the region, and the celebration among Venezuelan exiles. The episode is rich with live reactions from Miami’s Venezuelan community, interviews, and critical takes on Western foreign policy and media narratives.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The U.S. Raid: What Happened and Why It Matters

• Details of the Raid:

  • In the early hours of January 4, 2026, U.S. Special Forces entered Caracas, extracted Nicolás Maduro and his wife, and brought them to New York to face criminal indictment for leading a drug cartel.
  • The raid lasted two hours; military installations and the Hugo Chávez mausoleum were targeted, but the country was not occupied.
  • 32 Cuban bodyguards were reportedly killed; no American casualties were reported.
  • (03:22) Ezra: “Imagine going in 150 aircraft, all perfectly timed, completely evading any defensive measures, managing to kill 32 Cuban bodyguards without taking a single casualty and snatching him out. It's almost impossible.”

• International Law vs. “Might Makes Right”:

  • The episode questions the concept of sovereign immunity and highlights the difference between legal norms and power politics.
  • Ezra notes the impotence of international institutions in the face of military force: “International law is words. What we saw over the weekend was military hardware and highly trained soldiers. That is the ultimate law in international relations.” (13:01)
  • The raid is framed as a reassertion of the U.S. role as regional hegemon—Ezra dubs it the return of the Monroe Doctrine.

• Why Now?

  • Trump’s decisive action contrasts with what Ezra describes as the weakness and indecision of the previous administration.
  • He credits Trump’s willingness to use military force and his credibility on the world stage.
  • “Donald Trump is so credible right now. When he says he'll do something, are you going to gamble that he won't?” (22:56)

2. Implications for Venezuela and the Region

• Transition Plans:

  • Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have not called for immediate installation of the opposition winner or mass purges in Maduro’s government.
  • Focus is on restoring order, reviving the oil industry, and preparing for a “judicious transition.”
  • Quote from Trump:
    “We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition. ... We want peace, liberty and justice for the great people of Venezuela.” (07:14)

• Oil, Foreign Intervention, and Economic Strategy:

  • Trump is explicit about reopening Venezuela’s oil fields with U.S. companies, arguing that this will benefit both Venezuelans and Americans—but most importantly, it will keep adversarial nations like China and Russia out.
  • Marco Rubio:
    “We're not going to allow the Western Hemisphere to be a base of operation for adversaries. ... We want to see the oil proceeds of that country benefit the people of Venezuela. ... 8 million people left Venezuela ... because all the wealth ... was stolen.” (20:29-20:57)

• Regional Dominoes:

  • There’s speculation and open discussion about the operation’s consequences for Cuba and other authoritarian regimes in the region.
  • Trump directly threatens Colombia’s president regarding cocaine exports:
    “Colombia is very sick... He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories. He's not going to be doing it very long, let me tell you.” (22:09)

3. Domestic and International Reaction

• Western Leaders & Critics:

  • UK PM Keir Starmer gives a noncommittal response:
    “No, I haven't. And it's obviously a fast-moving situation... the UK was not involved in any way...” (11:06-11:55)
  • Ezra criticizes weak, performative Western responses and their focus on international law:
    “Only the West feels bound by these notions of international law and a rules-based international order...” (14:00)
  • Canadian and EU officials are depicted as passive or insincere—Ezra emphasizes their lack of contribution to serious international security.

• Media Framing:

  • Ezra and guests criticize what they see as the mainstream media’s inclination to side against Trump, sometimes portraying Maduro as legitimate or “man of the people.”
  • They argue that on-the-ground Venezuelan sentiment is vastly different.

4. Voices from the Venezuelan Exile Community (Live Reports from Miami)

Alexa Lavoie’s Interviews (27:30–50:42)

• Celebration, Relief, and Hope:

  • Venezuelan exiles in Doral, Miami, widely celebrated Maduro’s capture.
  • For many, this is seen as a “miracle” and a chance for true freedom after decades of suffering.

• Lived Experience of Exile:

  • Venezuelan Exile:
    “So none of them that are protesting outside the country are actually Venezuelans or live through it… So they won't know what it is to not know whether you're gonna get a dinner or what are you gonna eat the next day. Living off $2 a month…” (29:23)
  • Oil Industry Manager:
    “They wanted me to allow them to listen to all of the phone conversations. And I said, no... and after a couple of years, I had to leave.” (32:30)

• Attitudes Toward International Law Arguments:

  • Exiles dismiss concerns that the U.S. violated international law, citing Maduro’s crimes and illegitimacy.
  • “Everybody's there for the oil. Russia, Iran, everybody is there for the oil already. ... If Trump needs that oil to give us freedom, then that's a price we're willing to pay just so that we have our freedom.” (30:22-30:37)

• Criticism of Western Politicians:

  • City Councilor Rafael Piñero rebuffs NYC Mayor Zoran Mandani’s criticism:
    “So shame on him for making that comment. He's just starting an administration. He should know better what has been taking place in Venezuela for 26 years. … How are you going to be in favor of the capture of someone that is not even a legit president of any nation?” (36:38)
  • On Canadian media calling Maduro “man of the people”:
    “He might be the man of a few, 10 or 20 people, but he's not. I mean, he's just a criminal.” (38:52)

• Regional Implications – Cuba & Next Steps:

  • Mayor Christine Fraga (Doral, FL): “The illegitimate government of Venezuela was the one feeding Cuba. So we feel that with this change, there will be change in Cuba too, and hopefully Nicaragua. ... I think the restructuring of Venezuela is going to dry up the economic resources that were being fed to Cuba ... and that is going to make that last leg fall.” (40:37–45:39)

5. Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Revival of the Monroe Doctrine:
  “Donald Trump is saying, get out. He's saying, this is our hemisphere. ... It's not the Monroe document, it's the Donroe Doctrine now…” (05:00)

• Trump on Venezuela’s Future:
  “We want peace, liberty and justice for the great people of Venezuela. ... We're going to stay until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition.” (07:14)

• Marco Rubio on U.S. Interests:
  “We want Venezuela to move in a certain direction because ... it's in our national interest.” (18:46)
  “Ultimately, legitimacy for their system of government will come about through a period of transition and real elections which they have not had.” (19:25)

• Exile’s skepticism toward foreign critics:
  “26 years, nobody has done anything for our country except for Trump. ... He's the only one that has delivered his promise.” (30:38)

• Exile’s bluntness about critics:
  “He's wrong because he's also a communist. ... He's going to be against anything that President Trump will do.” (34:35)

Important Timestamps & Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Summary | |----------------|-------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:00–07:00 | Details of the U.S. raid, context, historical significance | | 07:14 | Trump explains transition plans for Venezuela | | 18:46–21:45 | Marco Rubio interview on motivations, national interests | | 22:09 | Trump comments on Colombia and threats to other regimes | | 27:30–38:52 | Alexa Lavoie’s Miami exile interviews – reactions, stories | | 40:04–47:30 | Interview with Doral Mayor Christine Fraga on regional impact| | 50:25 | Discussion of potential Nobel Peace Prize for Trump | | 52:10 | Ezra reflects on interviews, exile sentiment | | 54:11 | Fred Armisen satire, but with a real-world parallel |

Episode Takeaways

• The raid on Caracas is presented as a watershed action, reasserting U.S. power in the hemisphere and disrupting the networks that have sustained authoritarian regimes in Latin America.
• The episode draws a sharp contrast between “talk” (international law, Western press releases) and “action” (decisive military moves justified as defense of American interests).
• Exile voices are unequivocal: They see Trump’s intervention as liberation, not “colonization”—they reject the idea that international legal niceties should trump ending an era of suffering under Maduro.
• The realignment in Venezuela will have knock-on effects in Cuba and potentially other authoritarian states in the region.
• The show is unapologetically pro-Trump, anti-globalist, and skeptical of Western legacy media and left-wing critics.
• Throughout, the tone is urgent, irreverent, and patriotic, in line with the speakers’ and Rebel News’ brand.

For further first-hand video reactions from Venezuelan exiles, Rebel News encourages listeners to visit venezuelaisfree.com.