The President's Daily Brief

Episode: January 6, 2026 – Maduro’s Successor Signals Cooperation & Russia Targets U.S. Assets

Host: Mike Baker
Date: January 6, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode covers significant geopolitical developments impacting the United States, focusing on leadership changes in Venezuela following Maduro’s capture, suspicious undersea cable outages in the Baltics amid Russian tensions, recent Russian attacks in Ukraine—including strikes on American-owned assets—and the U.S. government’s response to Moscow’s disinformation regarding a supposed Ukrainian drone strike on Putin’s residence.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Venezuela – Maduro’s Successor and Skepticism Around Real Change

[00:42–09:56]

• Delsey Rodriguez Takes Power:
  After Nicolas Maduro’s capture, Delsey Rodriguez, previously vice president and head of Venezuela’s oil industry, is named acting president.
• Initial Defiance, Quickly Softened:
  Rodriguez first accuses the U.S. of an illegal kidnapping but within 24 hours issues a more diplomatic statement inviting U.S. cooperation under international law.
  • Quote:
    “Within 24 hours, that posture appears to have softened... Rodriguez shifted to markedly more diplomatic language, saying Venezuela aspires to live without external threats and extending... an invitation to the US to cooperate...” (Mike Baker, 03:13)
• Her Record and Role:
  Despite the cooperative rhetoric, Rodriguez’s history aligns closely with Maduro’s authoritarianism:
  • Longtime Chavista (Chavez loyalist), “not a poster person for democracy or transparency or justice or goodness and light.”
  • Accused by the U.S., EU, and Western governments of political repression, undermining democratic institutions, enabling narco-trafficking, and violently suppressing dissent.
  • Quote:
    “Rodriguez has functioned less as a vice president and more as a political enforcer... who helped keep Maduro in power long after Venezuela's institutions stopped functioning as real democratic bodies.” (Mike Baker, 05:26)
• Intact Regime Structure:
  Even with Maduro gone, the same close-knit circle remains:
  • Diosado Cabello, indicted by the U.S. for narco-terrorism.
  • Vladimir Pedrino Lopez (defense minister), also wanted for trafficking.
  • Jorge Rodriguez, Rodriguez’s brother, operates as head of propaganda.
  • Insight:
    “For these figures, a real transfer of power isn't just about losing office. It's about losing protection.” (Mike Baker, 06:50)
• Cuban Involvement:
  Havana admits 32 of its military and intelligence were killed in the operation that led to Maduro’s capture, underscoring Cuba’s deep entanglement and reliance on a friendly regime in Venezuela.
  • Quote:
    “Havana quietly acknowledged that 32 members of Cuba's military and intelligence services were killed... That admission is, well, revealing.” (Mike Baker, 07:28)
• External Pressures:
  Any transition may face interference not only from Venezuela’s inner circle but also Cuba, Russia, and China—unless they’re promised protection or backroom deals.

2. Baltics – Pattern of Undersea Cable Outages and Russian Suspicion

[10:20–14:30]

• Cable Sabotage Fears:
  A sixth undersea cable is damaged in Latvian waters, part of a week-long series across the Baltic region. Governments are on high alert yet refrain from conclusively blaming Russia.
  • Ongoing investigations, including vessel boardings and crew questioning (e.g., the Fitberg incident), but “no smoking gun” thus far.
  • Quote:
    “Another damaged cable. Another investigation, and still no clear attribution. And that lack of clarity keeps repeating.” (Mike Baker, 11:04)
• Context and Historical Biases:
  Previous cases linked to Russian vessels (e.g., Seizure of the Eagle S in 2024) shape current suspicions. However, experts caution that accident-prone, poorly maintained vessels in crowded, shallow seas could also be responsible.
  • “The Financial Times reports... this cluster of incidents may be the product of bad seamanship... colliding with heightened scrutiny.” (Mike Baker, 12:19)
  • Despite lack of proof, the frequency and distribution of failures across NATO waters is disruptive and strategically concerning.
• NATO Response:
  Increased posture patrols under Operation Baltic Sentry—focus is on deterrence and visibility rather than public accusation.
  • Insight:
    “So for now, the message is deterrence without declaration... will be watched closely and seized if necessary.” (Mike Baker, 13:02)

3. Ukraine – Russian Strikes With Impact on U.S. Businesses

[14:31–17:55]

• Renewed Strikes on Kyiv:
  First civilian deaths of 2026 reported following Russian attacks, with claims and denials about military vs. civilian targets.
  • “Russian strikes roll on, killing two in and around the capital, marking the first reported civilian deaths of 2026.” (Mike Baker, 14:38)
• Dnipro Oil Facility Targeted:
  Russian drone strike hits a U.S.-owned agribusiness (Bunge) oil processing facility, causing a 300-ton oil spill, traffic chaos, but no casualties.
  • Mayor and Ukrainian officials highlight this as an attack on “American property”, emphasizing disregard for peace talks led by President Trump and calling for stronger air defenses and sanctions.
  • Quote:
    “The Dnipro mayor made clear... ‘Russians bombed American property.’ That framing was echoed at the national level.” (Mike Baker, 16:10)
• Pattern of Attacks on U.S. Assets:
  Cites previous strikes:
  • Flex factory (August, injured U.S. staff)
  • Boeing office (June)
  • All reinforce Ukraine’s argument for more international support.

4. U.S. Rebuts Kremlin Claims of Ukrainian Attack on Putin’s Residence

[17:56–20:08]

• Background:
  Kremlin alleged Ukraine tried to assassinate Putin with a drone strike, stalling peace talks and escalating tensions.
• U.S. (President Trump) Response:
  American intelligence “shows that Ukraine did not target Vladimir Putin’s residence,” directly contradicting Russian claims.
  • Quote:
    “President Trump says US Intelligence assessments show that Ukraine did not target Putin's residence in that drone strike. In other words, according to American intelligence, the Kremlin's claim simply wasn't true.” (Mike Baker, 18:22)
• Disinformation Pattern:
  Host notes this is part of a repeated Russian tactic: dramatic, unsubstantiated claims that shift narratives and diplomatic momentum until later disproven.
  • “Dramatic claims from Moscow that are later walked back, quietly contradicted, or undercut by actual intelligence assessments...” (Mike Baker, 19:03)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Rodriguez’s Intentions:
  “While Maduro may now be in U.S. custody, the regime itself is still very much intact. The country is being run by many of the same figures who helped prop up Maduro and in some cases, who face the very same criminal allegations.” (Mike Baker, 05:55)
• On Cable Outages:
  “The frequency of disruptions across different national waters has put NATO partners on sustained alert. Even if some breaks are accidental, the effect is the same—disruption and pressure on governments to respond, as if something hostile might be afoot.” (Mike Baker, 12:39)
• On Attacks Against U.S. Businesses:
  “Ukraine's foreign minister said the latest strikes underscore Moscow's disregard for ongoing diplomatic efforts... attacks on American owned assets show a complete disregard for peace efforts led by President Trump...” (Mike Baker, 16:45)
• On Russian Disinformation:
  “Trump didn't accuse Russia outright of fabricating the story. But by stating plainly that US Intelligence found no evidence that Ukraine targeted Putin's residence, he effectively stripped the original claim of its credibility.” (Mike Baker, 19:30)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Venezuela’s New Leadership / Regime Analysis: 00:42–09:56
• Baltics Undersea Cable Outages: 10:20–14:30
• Russian Strikes in Ukraine and U.S. Business Impacts: 14:31–17:55
• U.S. Rebuttal of Kremlin Disinformation: 17:56–20:08

Tone and Style

Mike Baker maintains a direct, sometimes wry tone—e.g., “She’s not a poster person for democracy...or goodness and light”—blending intelligence analysis with practical warnings, skepticism, and a touch of humor.

This episode is a concise, high-level intelligence overview of developing threats and evolving crises, calling listeners to skepticism, vigilance, and an informed perspective on events shaping U.S. foreign policy and security.