Podcast Summary: The Hugh Hewitt Show: Highly Concentrated
Episode: U.S. Special Forces extract Maduro from Caracas (Operation Absolute Resolve)
Date: January 6, 2026
Episode Overview
This episode dives deep into Operation Absolute Resolve, the dramatic U.S. Special Forces raid that captured Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro and his spouse in Caracas, transporting them to face justice in New York. Hugh Hewitt, joined by prominent guests—including Senator Tom Cotton, Ambassador Robert O’Brien, Dr. Michael Oren, and policy analyst Dan Rundy—examines the operation’s legality, implications for U.S. foreign policy, regional effects in Latin America, as well as ripple effects for Iran, China, and global adversaries. Throughout, the show lauds U.S. military and intelligence competence and unpacks the geopolitical consequences.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Legality and Precedent of the Operation
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Hugh Hewitt meticulously reviews constitutional and historical precedents supporting unilateral executive military actions, citing prior examples from Ford (Mayaguez), Carter (Eagle Claw), Reagan (Grenada), Bush (Panama), Clinton (Kosovo), and Obama (Libya, bin Laden raid) (05:13–10:55).
- Quote: “It's a law enforcement operation wrapped inside of a military operation that got it done and it was absolutely legal.” (Hugh Hewitt, 04:56)
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The operation had long-standing DOJ indictments as a basis and did not require Congressional notification due to operational security risks—a point underscored by both Hewitt and Senator Tom Cotton (13:46–17:19).
2. Execution and Complexity of the Raid
- Senator Tom Cotton emphasizes the raid’s exceptional execution and operational secrecy:
- “This actually may be the most impressive of all when you hear how General Kaine described so many different elements of our joint force…capturing and exfiltrating target is in some ways harder than killing one or destroying something.” (12:30)
- Ambassador Robert O'Brien praises the U.S. intelligence community, CIA, Delta Force, and Night Stalkers for their months-long preparation and flawless execution (21:15–22:13).
3. Implications for U.S. Adversaries: Resetting Deterrence
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The raid on Maduro sends an unambiguous signal to hostile regimes worldwide, especially Iran and China.
- Dan Rundy: “President Trump with this action really reset deterrence...there’s a credible threat.” (43:09)
- Dr. Michael Oren (ex-Israeli ambassador): “It sends an unequivocal message to our common enemies...you don’t mess with this guy [Trump].” (32:52)
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The “Don Row Doctrine”: If Americans are killed or threatened, the U.S. will respond forcefully (09:18–10:30). This doctrine now stands credibly reinforced.
- Hugh Hewitt: “Do not threaten or injure those Americans. ...Donald Trump won’t put up with that.” (09:18)
4. Venezuela's Political Future and Transition
- Hugh and guests outline possible scenarios for Venezuela’s transition:
- Ambassador O’Brien: “There’s a very well formed opposition...led by Edmundo Gonzalez...Moreno Machado...Juan Guaido...They’ll enter into negotiations with Delsey Rodriguez, the current vice president, and we’ll have a transition government.” (23:10–24:35)
- Emphasis on the importance of free/fair elections, release of political prisoners, and kicking out foreign malign actors (Iran, Hezbollah, Cubans) (17:54–19:44).
5. Regional and Global Reactions
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South American responses: Allies like Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia are supportive; Colombia (under President Petro) and Mexico are critical; but overall, relief among regional allies is widespread (47:10–49:25).
- Dan Rundy: “Serious countries with serious leaders have gotten behind President Trump’s action.” (47:27)
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Impact on Cuba: With the loss of Venezuelan subsidies and death of Cuban security personnel in the raid, Cuba faces deeper economic and regime trouble (59:25–62:17).
- Dan Rundy: “Hopefully Cuba’s on its last legs. ...Cuba and Venezuela have had an enmeshed relationship for 25 years.” (61:11)
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China’s stake: China is affected by disruption of oil supply and by the clear message of U.S. operational reach (65:12–68:29).
6. Chevron and the Economic Stake
- Chevron, the last U.S. oil company in Venezuela, stands poised for significant opportunity—but faces legal, security, and financial obstacles (50:37–55:07).
- Considerations: asset security, nationalization risk, Venezuela’s massive debt to China, and the need for a stable transition to attract investment (53:22–55:07).
- Dan Rundy: “Chevron’s in a unique first mover advantage because it has assets on the ground...Potentially, yes, they could rebuild, but it’s enormously complicated.” (50:37)
7. The Iranian Situation
- Iranian regime faces street protests and a credible U.S. threat not to massacre protestors. The show draws parallels to previous U.S. inaction (Obama/2009), contrasting with current policy (28:40–29:02, 34:35–37:58).
- Dr. Oren: “The fact of the matter is the longevity of this regime is now very much in question...They have been humiliated by Israel, humiliated by the United States.” (34:35)
- Ambassador O’Brien: “I think the Ayatollah and the moles are already making plans to get out of Dodge if they crack down on these protesters.” (29:02)
8. Domestic U.S. Politics and Media Reactions
- The show critiques the U.S. media and political left for downplaying or criticizing the raid purely out of animosity for Trump (78:55–80:48).
- Vic Mattis: “One of the things [Trump Derangement Syndrome] causes is amnesia. ...Suddenly people do forget about Obama droning an American citizen...launching strikes in Serbia...Those things are forgotten.” (79:27)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On Legality and Precedents
- “It was absolutely legal...the executive power shall be vested in a President of the United States. ...He runs the Department of Justice...So it’s a law enforcement operation wrapped inside of a military operation that got it done.”
— Hugh Hewitt (04:56–05:13)
On Operational Excellence
- “You can’t overstate how exceptionally well executed this operation was...The capturing and exfiltrating target is in some ways harder than killing one or destroying something.”
— Senator Tom Cotton (12:30)
On Deterrence
- “President Trump with this action, really, reset deterrence...there’s a credible threat.”
— Dan Rundy (43:09) - “Don’t believe he’s bluffing, don’t believe you can play him in this, and don’t massacre your own citizens, effect the changes they’re demanding.”
— Senator Tom Cotton, regarding Iran (19:58)
On Trump’s Approach
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“Donald Trump does not play games.”
— Secretary Rubio, as quoted by Ambassador O’Brien (25:26); also reiterated throughout episode -
“He’s a very pragmatic guy. ...He’ll cut deals...But if you push him too far, like Maduro did, you know, he found out what happens.”
— Ambassador O’Brien (27:41–28:25)
On Regional and Global Consequences
- "Maduro is a great friend of Iran ... It's a huge blow to Iran and it sends an unequivocal message to our common enemies...”
— Dr. Michael Oren (32:52)
On Venezuelan Society
- “It’s a divided society ... probably 20%, could be as high as 30% ... are Chavistas. ...The vast majority of people don’t want this government.”
— Dan Rundy (44:51–45:46)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 04:56–10:55: Constitutional / historical precedent for such operations
- 12:11–19:44: Interview with Senator Tom Cotton: reaction, operational security, Congressional notification
- 21:15–31:19: Interview with Ambassador Robert O’Brien: inside look at the operation, transition scenarios in Venezuela
- 32:07–39:00: Interview with Dr. Michael Oren: Israeli and allied perspective, Iran
- 40:34–49:25: Dan Rundy on regional politics, Chavistas, and implications for Venezuela’s opposition and neighboring countries
- 50:37–55:07: Chevron’s position and Venezuela’s economic future
- 59:25–62:17: Cuba’s dependency on Venezuela, regime stability, security losses
- 65:12–69:11: China’s reaction and stake in Venezuela, impact on global adversaries
- 78:09–80:48: Vic Mattis on U.S. public perception and media reactions
Conclusions & Takeaways
- Operation Absolute Resolve’s success marks a major shift in the geopolitics of Latin America and serves as a bold demonstration of U.S. military and intelligence capabilities.
- The operation resets global deterrence, particularly vis-à-vis Iran, China, and other hostile actors.
- Support for a pragmatic, cunning U.S. approach is universal among the show’s guests: willingness to negotiate, with credible force as a last resort.
- Venezuela’s future is uncertain but hopeful, with potential for return to democracy and prosperity, contingent on internal actors choosing transition and behavioral change.
- The implications for U.S. business (Chevron), regional stability, and adversary regimes (Cuba, China, Iran) are profound, signaling possible further realignments in the year ahead.