The Hugh Hewitt Show: Highly Concentrated

Episode: What's Next with Venezuela?
Date: January 7, 2026
Podcast Host: Hugh Hewitt
Featured Guests: Jim Geraghty, John Ashbrook, David Drucker, Bret Baier, Michael Whatley, Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Byron York, James Lileks

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into recent events in Venezuela following the U.S.-led "Operation Absolute Resolve," which resulted in the removal of dictator Nicolás Maduro. Hugh Hewitt and a panel of high-profile journalists, analysts, and political figures unpack the military operation’s effectiveness, the uncertain political transition, U.S. strategy in the region, and the operation's ripple effects on Cuba, China, and global energy markets. The episode also tackles legacy media's portrayal of events and explores the broader geopolitical and domestic political implications for the U.S.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Operation Absolute Resolve: Execution and Impact

• Military Precision: The operation is widely lauded as a stunning success, compared to the raid that killed Osama bin Laden.
  • Jim Geraghty [02:22]: "The military operation was phenomenal and really on par with the bin Laden operation."
• Objective: Removal of Maduro, undermining hostile alliances with Iran, Russia, and China.
• Remarkable Tactics: Use of low-flying jets to mask helicopter approaches, leaving adversaries stunned.
  • John Ashbrook [15:27]: "They flew these jets so low over Caracas that the sound was deafening and nobody could hear the helicopters coming in from underneath. ... they thought of every last detail."

2. The New Regime and Venezuela’s Future

A. Immediate Aftermath

• Who’s in charge? Vice President Delcy Rodríguez assumes control; skepticism abounds about her intentions and background.
  • Jim Geraghty [04:31]: "[Delcy Rodríguez] is a hardcore socialist down the line loyalist... responsible for all kinds of torture, extrajudicial executions, use of rape as a weapon. Like this is a bad, bad woman."
• Conflicting Reports:
  • Some intelligence suggests Rodríguez and her brother are pivoting towards cooperation with the U.S. and an eventual transition.
    • Hugh Hewitt [03:44]: "They're actually working with the agency in the United States government very closely to begin what will be a step by step transition back to a normal country."
  • Others warn of a possible double game, with anti-democratic elements prevailing behind the scenes.

B. Leverage, Not Occupation

• The consensus among the hosts/guests is that the U.S. is exerting control through an oil embargo and threat of force, not direct governance.
  • Bret Baier [28:27]: "I think he means that we're running as far as influence and leverage...running it from afar, not...on the ground."
  • Hugh Hewitt [23:05]: "We are running the country because they can’t sell their oil and they know that we can come get anyone we want when we want to."

3. Lessons From History and Geopolitics

• Libya Parallel: Reference to quiet, effective WMD removal after Iraq invasion as a hopeful analogy for covert U.S. activity in Venezuela.
  • Hugh Hewitt [05:31]: "I'm just hoping the same thing happens."
• Media Discourse: Hewitt and guests criticize legacy news outlets for misunderstanding or misrepresenting U.S. actions, with some downplaying the leverage and complexity involved.
  • Hugh Hewitt [18:01]: "They cannot help themselves...the headline in the Wall Street Journal: 'Maduro’s capture deals heavy blow to Cuba’s vaunted intelligence service.'"
  • James Lileks [68:01]: "I don't trust anybody actually in the media to get their hands around this. I expect them to tut, tut and cluck, cluck."

4. Regional and Global Effects

A. Impact on Cuba, China, and Iran

• Cuba’s Security Loss: Unique detail that 32 Cuban intelligence officers were around Maduro.
  • John Ashbrook [18:36]: "There were 32 Cubans around Maduro … gives you a little more pause because Cuba is so close to us...maybe Cuba is next."
• China/Russia Oil Squeeze: U.S. actions have crimped major oil supplies to China and Russia, diminishing their strategic options.
  • Bret Baier [33:38]: "You start starving Russia and China...it becomes harder for them to do some big things."
• Iran’s Weakening: Reference to Iran’s crumbling nuclear program and resulting global security improvements.
  • Byron York [59:17]: "Iranian nuclear program is obliterated...that's a positive right there."

B. Key Outcomes Interpreted

• Migration and Drug Trafficking: Goal to curtail flows by cutting off the region’s criminal networks—another measure of success pending.
• Effect on U.S. Politics: The operation boosts a sense of American resurgence and national pride, especially contrasted with previous administrations’ approaches.
  • John Ashbrook [16:32]: "There's a renewed sense of pride...we're the greatest country in the world, and we have the best people."

5. How is the U.S. Measuring Success?

• Election Prospects: Most guests agree that a true turning point will come if free elections are held within one or two years.
  • Hugh Hewitt [48:32]: "How long until you think we’ll see real change that Americans say, ah, that’s why we did that?"
• Skepticism: Many guests warn that it’s too early to judge ultimate U.S. success in Venezuela.
  • Byron York [55:03]: "It's way too early to say that that has happened."

6. Domestic Issues and 2026 Political Landscape

• Economic Growth: Noted U.S. GDP growth and lower gas prices, except for states like California. Political discussions cover campaign finance, early voting, and blue-state fraud.
  • Michael Whatley [43:32]: "Gasoline and diesel prices really dictate a lot of our grocery prices, retail prices...the number one influence when it comes to inflation is what the gas prices are."
• 2026 Elections: Features on Michael Whatley’s Senate campaign in North Carolina and Marsha Blackburn’s gubernatorial run in Tennessee, highlighting the importance of holding/preventing Senate and governorship flips.

7. Political Humor and Sidebars

• Sports Banter: Lively exchanges about NFL teams (Browns, Jets, Bengals) and local fare (Skyline Chili) pepper the show.
• Media Critique and Satire: Frequent ribbing of the "legacy media," with Hewitt and guests debating whether mainstream outlets are "willfully ignorant" or simply out of touch.
• James Lileks [68:25]: "I expect them to tut, tut and cluck, cluck... it's hard to do so when the guy is so manifestly unpopular and has done so many bad things."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On U.S. Leverage:
  Bret Baier [28:27]: "We're running it from afar, not running it like a viceroy... It's going to lead to a transition on the ground for eventually an election."
• On Media Narratives:
  Hugh Hewitt [18:01]: "They cannot help themselves. But the headline in the Wall Street Journal: 'Maduro’s capture deals heavy blow to Cuba’s vaunted intelligence service.'"
• On Possible Change in Venezuela:
  Jim Geraghty [04:31]: "If [the transition] happens, yes, I would love to see that happen. Color me a bit more skeptical."
• Security Detail:
  John Ashbrook [18:36]: "How about the fact that there were 32 Cubans around Maduro?...gives you a little more pause."
• Impact on Adversaries:
  Bret Baier [33:38]: "You start starving Russia and China...it becomes harder for Putin to maintain Ukraine. ...harder, maybe, for China to move on Taiwan."
• Skepticism on Outcome:
  Byron York [55:03]: "It’s way too early to say that [success] has happened."
• Civil Liberties & Accountability:
  Jim Geraghty [06:33]: "If this can, quote, unquote, scare her straight...fine...but this regime is responsible for just an abominable long line of crimes. I'd like to see somebody get held accountable for this."
• Echoing National Security Rhetoric:
  Byron York [59:17]: "The whole Trump corollary of the Monroe Doctrine was in the National Security Strategy ... it paves the way for what's just been done in Venezuela."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:22] Jim Geraghty on the effectiveness and boldness of Operation Absolute Resolve
• [04:31] Debate on VP Delcy Rodríguez and U.S. hopes vs. skepticism
• [14:54] John Ashbrook on the operation's tactical brilliance
• [16:32] Ashbrook: Media's critical stance on U.S. military action
• [18:36] Ashbrook: The Cuban security entourage and implications for Cuba
• [23:05] Hewitt: U.S. running Venezuela indirectly vs. direct occupation
• [28:27] Bret Baier: Clarifying what the administration means by "running Venezuela"
• [33:38] Discussion of secondary/tertiary effects: Cuba, China, Russia's energy situation
• [45:40] Marsha Blackburn: Trump’s action against Maduro, local impact
• [54:21] Byron York: Cautions on declaring quick success; media coverage skepticism
• [68:01] James Lileks: Critique of media bafflement and historical misunderstandings

Episode Tone

• Generally assertive, skeptical of mainstream media, and celebratory of U.S. military achievements
• Conversational, laced with jokes and regional asides, especially regarding sports, food, and local color
• Clear bias in favor of the current administration’s actions, with criticism reserved for those “not getting it” (especially in media and the left)

Summary for New Listeners

This episode is a comprehensive, fast-paced analysis of the U.S. operation in Venezuela and its broader implications, paired with critical views on media coverage and plenty of lighthearted diversions. If you want in-depth, right-of-center commentary on how Venezuela’s upheaval fits into the global chessboard—with side helpings of campaign 2026, football, and cultural critiques—this episode is for you.