The Monocle Daily — January 9, 2026

Colombia’s Fears of Potential US Intervention & Golden Globes Preview

Overview

This episode of The Monocle Daily, hosted by Vincent McEvinnie from London’s Midori House, explores two major stories: the political reverberations across Latin America following a dramatic US-led raid in Caracas to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and a preview of the upcoming Golden Globe Awards. A panel featuring Oscar Guardiola Rivera (Professor of International Law at Birkbeck College), Julia Jenn (Monocle writer/researcher and Ukraine expert), and film critic Karen Krasanovich discusses these and other developing international stories, with sharp insights and pointed commentary.

1. US Intervention in Venezuela: Colombia’s Rising Anxiety

Guests:

• Oscar Guardiola Rivera (Birkbeck College)
  Timestamps: 00:00–12:43

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• US Raid on Caracas & Geopolitical Fallout:

  • The US, under President Trump, conducted an audacious raid in Caracas to capture President Maduro.
  • This move echoes the Monroe Doctrine but is now referred to as the “Donroe Doctrine,” extending influence over Europe and signaling a hardline approach.
  • The entire region is recalibrating diplomatic ties and assessing security risk in the aftermath.

• Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s Position:

  • Trump made inflammatory accusations against Petro, claiming he runs “cocaine mills and cocaine factories” and issued veiled threats (02:18).
  • Petro responded by initiating dialogue, asking the US to help combat the National Liberation Army (ELN) at the Colombia-Venezuela border, seeking to shift the dynamic to “attacking the common enemy.”
  • Despite dialogue, there’s widespread understanding in Colombia that the US threat remains significant.

• Potential for Expanded US Military Action:

  • Trump is openly considering air strikes or direct action in Colombia and Mexico, citing the war on drugs as a pretext (03:50).
  • The shift from covert to overt interventions heightens uncertainty and risk—particularly since major capitals are deep inland, necessitating a “boots on the ground” approach.

• Regional & Political Responses in Colombia:

  • Colombian public and political opposition are wary due to past experience with right-wing authoritarianism (the shadow of Álvaro Uribe), understanding that such tactics lead to violence (05:38).
  • Some right-wing figures have lobbied US politicians to support direct intervention, but this has backfired and is unpopular academically and among the general population.
  • Recent mass demonstrations across Colombia have focused on the nation’s sovereignty, not just on any one leader:

    “This is now about the sovereignty of this country and all others in the Western hemisphere.” — Oscar Guardiola Rivera (06:49)

• US Critiques and the Drug Trade Pretext:

  • Colombian authorities stress that under Petro, there has been a crackdown on cocaine production and significant cooperation with the US.
  • The “war on drugs” is, according to many, a convenient excuse rather than the true US agenda (08:11).
  • The overarching view is that current US action is about power and dominance—“a design of dominion”—not drugs or democracy.

• Cuba’s Precarious Position:

  • Venezuela’s reduction in oil support threatens Cuba’s regime.
  • Cuban officials warn observers not to underestimate their resilience, noting the suffering of civilians under continuing strangulation policies (10:09–11:26).

• Alarming Statements from President Trump:

  • Trump’s dismissal of international law causes deep concern among legal scholars:

    “The international legal order built after World War II... is imperiled. That was our second chance at building something like this... We won’t have a third chance.” — Oscar Guardiola Rivera (11:44)

  • International order has fostered global prosperity and stability—a point both guest and host underscore.

2. Russian Hypersonic Missile Strike on Ukraine

Guest:

• Julia Jenn (Monocle’s Ukraine expert)
  Timestamps: 12:43–20:10

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• Details of the Missile Strike:

  • Russia launched a new Oreshnik hypersonic missile from Soviet-era plans; more propaganda than military utility due to its unpredictability and lack of precision.
  • The missile’s warhead splits into multiple elements en route, traveling at 13,000 km/h, making it nearly impossible to intercept (13:54).
  • Strike alarms gave civilians less than 15 minutes to take cover, illustrating the heightened danger.

• Strategic Context and European Fear:

  • The strike’s proximity to the Polish border was interpreted as a warning to Europe and a display of capability.
  • The missile targeted energy infrastructure, highlighting how Russia uses energy as a weapon of war, already impacting European cities like Berlin (16:06).

• Western Reactions & Military Support:

  • Announcements from France and the UK promising troops in a post-ceasefire Ukraine were met with muted optimism; skepticism abounds about the likelihood of a true ceasefire while risking Russian escalation (17:30).

• Ukrainian Civilian Hardship:

  • Severe winter and energy deficits—Kyiv’s mayor advised residents lacking power or water to evacuate (18:59).
  • Powerful, personal details underscore the hardship:

    “Half a million families without... basic services and people shoveling snow off their balconies to melt for water to use in their flats.” — Julia Jenn (19:35)

  • The humanitarian crisis is acute and ongoing.

3. Decision Fatigue & AI Solutions in the Workplace

Guest:

• Deborah Honig (Samsung Chief Customer Officer, interviewed by Tom Edwards)
  Timestamps: 21:08–27:09

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• Decision Fatigue:

  • Many workers experience decision fatigue by 11am due to the overwhelming number of micro-decisions required each morning (21:08).
  • Samsung research finds this accounts for a significant chunk of lost productivity—about 36 minutes a day, projected to £92 billion nationally.

• How Technology Can Help:

  • Focus is on integrating and automating routines to lessen the cognitive burden, leveraging AI to coordinate schedules and predict bottlenecks (“now brief”), and integrating data across home/work environments for a streamlined experience.

• Ethical Considerations and Customer Choice:

  • The imperative is shifting from “what can we do” with technology to “what should we do.”
  • Consumers have choices about the degree of automation and data-sharing, with Samsung emphasizing privacy, safety, and transparency.
  • Notable quote:

    “We are not used to this level of intimacy with technology... we do have to take those steps and think about it in partnership with customers.” — Deborah Honig (26:34)

4. The 83rd Golden Globe Awards: Preview & Predictions

Guest:

• Karen Krasanovich (Film Critic)
  Timestamps: 27:54–33:07

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• General Overview:

  • This year’s awards are open and unpredictable, though the same few films dominate the nominee lists.

• Top Contenders

  • Best Film – Drama:
    • Frontrunner: Sinners by Ryan Coogler, a period vampire drama that had a unique release pattern and notable box office (28:20–29:24).
    • Other contenders: Hamnet, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value, Frankenstein.
  • Best Comedy/Musical:
    • Major titles: One Battle after Another, Marty Supreme, No Other Choice, Begonia, Nouvelle Vague, and Blue Moon.
    • Notably missing: Song Song Blue.

• Acting Categories:

  • Best Actor: Tight race between Timothée Chalamet (“Marty Supreme”) and Leonardo DiCaprio (“One Battle after Another”).
  • Best Actress – Drama: Jessie Buckley (“Hamnet”) vs. Renata Rainsworth (“Sentimental Value”). Buckley seen as having the emotional edge.

• Notable Takes and Advice:

  • On “Mighty Supreme”:

    “I just hated the characters... They have these characters you just think, ‘Oh my God, I don’t want to be around these people.’” — Karen Krasanovich (31:00)

  • Golden Globes vs. Oscars:
    • Globes are less predictive due to differing voting bodies, but powerful acceptance speeches can sway Oscar voters (32:40).

5. Andrew Muller's Weekly News Round-Up: "What We Learned"

Commentary by:

• Andrew Muller
  Timestamps: 33:33–40:49

Memorable Moments & Insights

• 2026’s Grim Continuity:

  • Satirical riff on the turbulent start to the year, connecting Trump’s medical checkups with high-stakes foreign policy.
  • Mocking Trump’s penchant for self-branding:

    “Maybe the way to get Trump to uphold anything is to let him name it after himself. The Geneva Donventions, the United Nations Charter, or the Treaty on the Don Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.” — Andrew Muller (37:38)

• US Military Adventurism:

  • Blistering summary of recent US actions in Nigeria, Iran, and Venezuela, quipping about the ease with which Maduro was toppled and fears for Colombia and Mexico.

• Mockery of Trump’s Approach to Policy:

  “Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place.” — Trump, quoted by Muller (39:03)

• Rubio’s Take on Cuba:

  “It’s run by incompetent, senile men. And in some cases not senile, but incompetent nonetheless.” (39:29)

• Final Thoughts:

  • Muller signs off with a tongue-in-cheek salute to the wisdom of dialogue (ironically quoting Lavrov).

Notable Quotes

• Oscar Guardiola Rivera:

  “The so-called war on drugs is the perfect pretext, the excuse for revamping the Monroe Doctrine... The possibility of land attacks in both Colombia and Mexico has been very clearly delineated by the US President.” [03:50] “This is now about the sovereignty of this country and all others in the Western hemisphere.” [06:49] “The international legal order built after World War II... is imperiled. That was our second chance at building something like this... We won’t have a third chance.” [11:44]

• Julia Jenn:

  “It’s impossible to shoot down an Oreshnik as the warhead splits into different sections traveling at 13,000 km/h.” [13:54] “Half a million families without... basic services and people shoveling snow off their balconies to melt for water to use in their flats. This is shocking stuff in Europe.” [19:35]

• Deborah Honig:

  “I think we can use [AI] in so many more ways in our homes and at work and for creative reasons that it can really help you get rid of that cognitive load...” [23:23] “We are not used to this level of intimacy with technology... we do have to take those steps and think about it in partnership with customers.” [26:34]

• Andrew Muller:

  “Maybe the way to get Trump to uphold anything is to find a way to allow him to name it after himself.” [37:38]

Useful Timestamps

• US-Colombia/Venezuela relations: 00:00–12:43
• Ukraine: Russian missile, winter crisis: 12:43–20:10
• Decision Fatigue & AI in the Workplace: 21:08–27:09
• Golden Globes Preview: 27:54–33:07
• Andrew Muller’s Satirical News Round-up: 33:33–40:49

Episode Takeaway

This episode delivers a rich, global perspective: from the new risks and regional backlash of US intervention in Latin America, through chilling updates on the Ukraine conflict, to how workplace tech might ease (or heighten) our daily burdens, and a spirited forecast of Hollywood’s award season. Throughout, Monocle’s guests balance sharp analysis with dry wit—making world news, as ever, both engaging and urgent.