The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show — "Verdict with Ted Cruz: Venezuela Victory Part 2 – Historically Transforming Latin America & What Happens Next"

Date: January 8, 2026
Hosts: Senator Ted Cruz (B), Ben Ferguson (A)
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts

Overview

This episode is the second in a two-part deep dive on the dramatic recent events in Venezuela, examining the aftermath of Nicolás Maduro’s capture and removal via U.S. military action ordered by President Trump. Ted Cruz and Ben Ferguson analyze the arrest of Maduro’s wife, Celia Flores, and the broader geopolitical implications for Latin America—exploring what comes next for Venezuela, the region's leftist regimes, and U.S. national security.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Recap of Part 1 (00:32)

• What happened: U.S. military captured Maduro and his wife; legal basis for the operation compared to Noriega's 1990 arrest.
• Why Venezuela matters: Oil, gold, other mineral reserves; presence of Russia, China, Iran, and Hezbollah.
• Debate over legality: Dismissal of arguments labeling the action as “illegal” or “kidnapping.”

1. Why Was Maduro’s Wife Arrested? (03:54)

• Celia Flores’s Role:
  • More than just “First Lady”; long-time Chavez loyalist, lawyer, Marxist, senior official, described as “Latin Lady Macbeth.”
  • Directly involved in narco-trafficking and corruption; sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury.
  • Quote: “She is a fundamental figure in corruption in Venezuela, absolutely fundamental, and especially in the structure of power.” (B, 05:45)
  • Called "far more astute and shrewd than Maduro himself" (B, 06:00)
• Criminal Involvement:
  • Accepted bribes from drug dealers; her nephews (‘narco nephews’) arrested in the U.S. for cocaine trafficking.
  • Used her legal expertise to facilitate corrupt systems.
  • Not a “sweet little old lady”: “Sweet little old lady Attorney general, narco terrorist, drug trafficker. But other than that, she’s a sweet little old lady.” (B, 09:41)
• Media Framing:
  • Liberal critics portray her as a victim; Cruz/Ferguson challenge this as willful ignorance or deceit.

2. Geopolitical Consequences for Latin America and the Western Hemisphere (10:54)

The "Western Hemisphere" and the Monroe ("Donroe") Doctrine

• Explanation: “Western Hemisphere is just North America and South America... our half of the world.” (B, 10:54)
• Trump’s approach is labeled the "Donroe Doctrine"—a modern iteration of the Monroe Doctrine prioritizing U.S. dominance in the hemisphere.

Lessons from History: Panama/Noriega Precedent

• Cruz recounts a story from former DOJ official Chuck Cooper, Reagan’s negotiator with Noriega, emphasizing the deterrence effect of forceful action.
• Parallel: Both Noriega and Maduro refused peaceful exits, ultimately leading to armed removal.
  • Quote: "[Noriega] said, 'Absolutely not. I'm not going anywhere... people are going to come after me and they're not going to take no for an answer.'" (B, 13:06)

Military Execution and Trump’s Leadership

• The operation required immense risk; all Cuban guards defending Maduro were killed, but no U.S. service members died.
• Delta Force soldiers protected Maduro and Flores with their own bodies during Cuban crossfire:
  • “Delta Force, literally putting their bodies with body armor in front of Maduro and the first lady so that they didn’t get shot by the Cubans.” (B, 16:41)
• Cruz recounts a recent Oval Office conversation in which Trump compared the significance of taking out Iranian nuclear facilities to the arrest of Maduro, both agreeing that Iran was a greater threat but Venezuela’s operation nearly as impactful. (B, 18:25)
  • Quote: “Taking out those nuclear facilities made America much, much safer. But I said arresting Maduro is a very close second because it changed the entire geopolitical balance of power in the Western Hemisphere.” (B, 18:25)

Impact on Cuba and Other Leftist Regimes (21:20)

• Cuba’s Predicament:
  • Relied heavily on Venezuelan oil; with that supply cut and Cuban security forces decimated, communist Cuba is under severe pressure.
  • Quote: “Cuba is probably the country most impacted... their soldiers were just obliterated.” (B, 22:59)
  • Hope is expressed for the fall of Cuba’s communist regime due to economic collapse.
• Dictatorships' Perception of Strength:
  • Maduro’s capture and the collapse of allies’ security undermine the image of invulnerability of Latin America's leftist rulers.
  • Similar dynamic at play in Iran post-Israeli/U.S. actions: “There are real consequences in the real world when you lose a war.” (B, 24:00)
  • Ripple effects for Nicaragua, Colombia, and Brazil—other left-leaning governments seen as “materially weaker” and more likely to face democratic opposition.
  • Quote: “Every leftist in Latin America who hates America and hates President Trump is materially weaker.” (B, 26:21)

3. What’s Next for Venezuela and U.S. Policy? (35:40)

Concerns About “Forever Wars” and American Interventionism

• Addressing accusations of potential American occupation:
  • Cruz firmly states: “We are not at war with Venezuela. This was a military operation to execute an arrest warrant. It took a couple of hours and was over...” (B, 35:40)
  • Distinction is made between a war and a precision operation supporting law enforcement.

Current Leadership and Path Forward

• Interim president Delsey Rodriguez (Maduro’s VP, sworn in by her brother Jorge Rodriguez—shows continuing nepotistic, Marxist roots).
  • Rodriguez’s background: deeply anti-American, daughter of a Marxist guerrilla implicated in past kidnappings.
  • Not a friend of the West, but currently cooperating, likely due to U.S. show of force. (B, 39:32)
• Instability and Elections:
  • Reports of violence and potential coups.
  • Strong call for free and fair elections as the only legitimate way forward.
  • Quote: “We do not want to see an American occupation. What should happen is free and fair elections.” (B, 40:06)

Rebuilding Venezuela

• Huge Economic Potential:

  • Largest proven oil reserves in the world, plus gold.
  • With the right leadership, Venezuela could rapidly recover economically.
    • Quote: “If you asked me right now, what country would I want... to build them back up the fastest? Venezuela is like one of the easiest ones in the whole world to do.” (A quoting a banker, 41:10)
  • Venezuela’s GDP per capita once ranked 4th globally in 1950.

• U.S. Business Investment Depends on Political Stability:

  • Major oil companies need assurance of property rights and rule of law before investing.
  • “If you don’t trust the government there to protect your property rights, you’re not going to invest.” (B, 43:14)

• Explicit Hope:

  • Regime change should come “at the ballot box,” not via foreign imposition.
  • A return to prosperity hinges on pro-market, pro-America leadership selected in free elections.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Celia Flores:
  • “She is a fundamental figure in corruption in Venezuela... far more astute and shrewd than Maduro himself.” (B, 05:45)
  • “Sweet little old lady Attorney general, narco terrorist, drug trafficker. But other than that, she’s a sweet little old lady.” (B, 09:41)
• Delta Force Operation:
  • “Delta Force, literally putting their bodies with body armor in front of Maduro and the first lady so that they didn’t get shot by the Cubans.” (B, 16:41)
• Trump on Venezuela Operation:
  • “It took cast iron balls to issue that order, because frankly, it could have gone wrong a thousand different ways.” (B relaying Oval Office talk, 15:47)
• On U.S. Approach:
  • “We are not at war with Venezuela. This was a military operation to execute an arrest warrant... took a couple of hours and was over.” (B, 35:40)
• On Venezuela’s Potential:
  • “In 1950, Venezuela had the fourth highest GDP per capita in the world... That’s what these communists screwed up.” (B, 42:02)
• Future Direction:
  • “This, I very much hope, will be regime change at the ballot box... The voters will choose.” (B, 44:03)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Recap of Ep. 1 / Outline of Ep. 2: 00:00–02:36
• Why was Celia Flores arrested: 03:54–09:32
• Western Hemisphere & Monroe Doctrine: 10:54–13:05
• Reagan, Noriega, and Dictator Deterrence Story: 13:05–15:04
• Trump Oval Office Conversation (Venezuela vs. Iran): 17:55–18:30
• Cuba’s Strategic Collapse: 21:20–23:37
• Impact on Other Latin American Regimes: 24:00–26:40
• Mexico’s Response & U.S. Relations: 26:43–34:27
• America First, Forever Wars, Policy Forward: 35:40–39:32
• Interim Leadership & Need for Elections: 39:32–44:37
• Venezuela’s Economic Path to Recovery: 41:10–44:03

Conclusion

This episode offers a sweeping analysis of the ripple effects from Venezuela’s political upheaval. Cruz and Ferguson assert that the U.S. action has dramatically shifted the region’s geopolitical dynamics, weakened anti-U.S. leftist regimes, and opened the door for potential democratic reforms. Yet, they stress the importance of avoiding a military quagmire and emphasize that only free and fair elections—not foreign occupation—can set Venezuela and Latin America on a new, prosperous trajectory.

For anyone who missed part one, the hosts recommend listening for the foundation and legal analysis of the operation.