Venezuela has become the flashpoint for a new era of American hard power - not just a regime change, but a raw assertion of dominance over the "backyard." Elohim Monard graces the pod with his presence once more as the U.S. treats a sovereign nation like a criminal organization to secure global oil markets, and the ideological fractures across Latin America deepen. Is this the beginning of a peaceful transition or the birth of ten years of chaos? This moment forces a reckoning: what happens when stability is traded for extraction, when ideology gives way to brute pragmatism, and when Latin America’s future is shaped less by its people than by who controls the valves?

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Intro

(01:12) - Discussing Recent Events in Venezuela

(02:59) - US Involvement and Imperialism

(06:15) - Historical Context and Comparisons

(08:58) - Reactions from Latin American Leaders

(14:30) - Potential Future Scenarios

(24:56) - Cuba's Situation and US Strategy

(27:29) - Media Critique and Final Thoughts

(28:46) - Stephen Miller's Perspective on Venezuela

(32:36) - US Strategy in Latin America

(34:00) - Future of US Dominance in the Western Hemisphere

(37:14) - Impact of Chinese Investments

(44:25) - Potential Chaos in Venezuela

(54:38) - Implications for Peru

(58:03) - Final Thoughts and Upcoming Discussions

Referenced in the Show:

Jacob Shapiro Site: jacobshapiro.com

Jacob Shapiro LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacob-l-s-a9337416

Jacob Twitter: x.com/JacobShap

Jacob Shapiro Substack: jashap.substack.com/subscribe

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Jacob Shapiro is a speaker, consultant, author, and researcher covering global politics and affairs, economics, markets, technology, history, and culture. He speaks to audiences of all sizes around the world, helps global multinationals make strategic decisions about political risks and opportunities, and works directly with investors to grow and protect their assets in today’s volatile global environment. His insights help audiences across industries like finance, agriculture, and energy make sense of the world.