Ten News Special Report: What’s Going On With Venezuela?

Summary

Ten News Special Report: What’s Going On With Venezuela?

Podcast: The Ten News, News For Curious Kids
Hosts: Ryan Willard & Pamela Kirkland
Date: January 5, 2026
Episode: Special Report

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Overview

This special episode of The Ten News addresses the alarming headlines involving Venezuela, where the Venezuelan president has been arrested by US forces, creating international uncertainty and sparking conversations about war. Hosts Ryan and Pam carefully break down recent events, the historical context, and the complex questions raised by this dramatic international incident—all accessible and engaging for young listeners and their families.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Why Venezuela Is in the News (00:32–01:14)

• Venezuela has appeared in world news because of dramatic and unprecedented events: recent explosions, the president’s arrest, and speculation about a possible war.
• Hosts stress the need to slow down, take a breath, and understand all the people and factors involved.

Quote (Pam, 00:33):
"Explosions in Venezuela, arrests of the Venezuelan president, and people are talking about war. I think we need to take a beat and slow things way down."

2. Background: Where is Venezuela & Why It Matters (01:07–01:40)

• Venezuela is a South American country with millions of people, beautiful landscapes, and significant oil reserves.
• President Nicolas Maduro has ruled since 2013 and is considered by many, including the US, as authoritarian. Accusations include human rights violations and ties to economic and drug problems.

Quote (Ryan, 01:19):
"Venezuela has some of the largest oil reserves in the world."

3. Escalating Tensions with the US (01:40–02:12)

• The US government has recently been targeting Venezuelan boats, claiming drug smuggling—a claim unverified, which includes possible innocent fishermen.
• The legality and ethics of these attacks are under review by Congress and international partners.

Quote (Pam, 01:53):
"It's important to note that this claim has not been verified and that it's not clear if the people on the boats that have been attacked are involved in the drug trade or innocent fishermen."

4. US Charges & Arrests (02:14–02:58)

• US courts have charged Maduro, his wife, and son with drug trafficking and terrorism.
• On Saturday, American forces entered Venezuela, arrested Maduro and his wife amid reports of explosions in Caracas. The US administration claims this was a limited operation to protect arresting forces, not full-scale military action.
• Questions raised: Does the US have the right to make such arrests in another country? Did this bypass international law and US congressional approval?

Quote (Ryan, 02:55):
"Wait a minute, Pam. Can the US Government actually do this, go into another country like this and arrest its president and his wife?"

5. Legal & Historical Context (02:58–03:55)

• Normally, only Congress can declare war; the President needs congressional approval.
• President Trump claims this wasn’t war, just a limited arrest. Many in Congress argue it breaks US and international law.
• Parallel drawn to the 1989 US invasion of Panama and arrest of President Manuel Noriega, which led to lasting instability.

Quote (Pam, 03:26):
"Others, including members of Congress, don't agree and say this action breaks US and international law."

6. Are We At War? (03:55–04:17)

• Officially, there’s been no declaration of war; US leaders insist this was a one-off.
• However, any military force across borders can have major global ramifications.

Quote (Pam, 03:59):
"The official answer is no... But anytime one country uses military force inside another, even briefly, other nations pay attention."

7. What Happens Next? (04:17–05:05)

• Situation continues to shift rapidly.
• President Trump claims the US is "now going to... run Venezuela," but what that entails is unclear.
• Key things to watch:
  • Congressional response to presidential actions.
  • US legal proceedings against Maduro and family.
  • Reactions of Venezuelans and expats.
  • International response.

Quote (Pam, 04:23):
"President Trump went on TV on Saturday to say that the US Was now going to, quote, run Venezuela. But no one knows what that means."

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Pamela Kirkland [00:32]:
  "Explosions in Venezuela, arrests of the Venezuelan president, and people are talking about war. I think we need to take a beat and slow things way down."
• Ryan Willard [02:55]:
  "Wait a minute, Pam. Can the US Government actually do this, go into another country like this and arrest its president and his wife?"
• Pamela Kirkland [03:26]:
  "Others, including members of Congress, don't agree and say this action breaks US and international law."
• Ryan Willard [05:13]:
  "Wow. What a wild way to start the year. Can we take a brain break before we do this week's 10 things you need to know?"
• Pamela Kirkland [04:23]:
  "President Trump went on TV on Saturday to say that the US Was now going to, quote, run Venezuela. But no one knows what that means."

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Important Timestamps

• 00:32–01:07: The Venezuela headlines and need for clarity
• 01:07–01:40: Venezuela’s background (location, oil, leadership)
• 01:40–02:12: Recent US actions against Venezuelan boats
• 02:14–02:58: Charges against Maduro and the high-profile arrests
• 02:58–03:55: Legality, comparison to US invasion of Panama
• 03:55–04:17: War status and implications
• 04:17–05:05: What comes next—uncertainties and global impact

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Tone and Delivery

The episode uses a reassuring and informative tone, pausing to answer big questions simply and honestly for younger listeners. The hosts encourage curiosity and critical thinking, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the story and the need for careful attention as events develop.

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Summary for Listeners

This special report from The Ten News delves into the fast-unfolding crisis in Venezuela, exploring why US actions are controversial and historic, what’s happening on the ground, and the big questions about law, international relations, and the future. The episode models critical thinking for kids and adults alike, turning breaking news into an opportunity for understanding and conversation.

Transcript

[A]

Hey, Pam. So I was wondering if you could.

[B]

Help me break down why everyone's talking about Venezuela.

[A]

Yeah. Wait, why are you here on your day off?

[B]

Because we need to do a special report. Why are you here to do a special report?

[A]

Of course not. Because I missed the studio to do a special report. Because I'm Ryan Willard.

[B]

And I'm Pamela Kirkland.

[A]

And believe it or not, it is 2026, January 4th, to be exact.

[B]

And this is a 10News special report. Processing. Okay, Ryan, we woke up to some pretty intense headlines on Saturday. Explosions in Venezuela, arrests of the Venezuelan president, and people are talking about war. I think we need to take a beat and slow things way down.

[C]

Same.

[A]

This is one of those times where things get pretty scary and confusing, and it really helps to take a breath and understand all the moving pieces and people involved. So let's break it down. Ten new styles.

[B]

First, where is Venezuela? Venezuela is a country in South America. It has millions of people, beautiful landscapes, and something else that matters a lot in global politics. Oil.

[A]

Venezuela has some of the largest oil reserves in the world. And for years, since 2013, the country has been run by President Nicolas Maduro, a leader that many countries, including the U.S. say is an authoritarian. He's been accused of human rights violations and the economic and drug problems in Venezuela.

[B]

And why was Venezuela already in the news lately? Well, over the last few months, the US Government has been targeting and attacking Venezuelan boats that the Trump administration claims are drug smugglers. It's important to note that this claim has not been verified and that it's not clear if the people on the boats that have been attacked are involved in the drug trade or innocent fishermen. Members of Congress and international partners have been calling for a review of the US Actions here and whether or not it's legal.

[A]

And then things got more complicated.

[B]

Right. President Maduro, his wife and son and other Venezuelan leaders have been charged by US Courts with serious crimes, including drug trafficking and terrorism related crimes. And those charges led us to what we woke up to on Saturday.

[A]

On Saturday, American forces went into Venezuela and arrested President Maduro and his wife. There were reports of explosions and military aircrafts over Venezuela's capital, Caracas. The Trump administration says that the force was used to protect the military making the arrest and not a bigger military action. Wait a minute, Pam. Can the US Government actually do this, go into another country like this and arrest its president and his wife?

[B]

So that's the big question among many others right now, right? Normally, Congress is the only group that can declare war, and the president needs to go to Congress to get approval to go to war. In this case, President Trump is saying that this isn't the start of a war, that it was a limited arrest operation and fits under presidential powers. Others, including members of Congress, don't agree and say this action breaks US and international law.

[A]

And I looked up that this has happened before. In 1989, the US invaded Panama and arrested its president, Manuel Noriega and brought him to the US to stand trial for drug trafficking during President George Bush's term.

[B]

Yes, that example is being brought up as a parallel to the actions in Venezuela. It has a lot of experts worried that history is going to repeat itself. That operation in Panama led to long term instability in the region.

[A]

So, Pam, are we at war right now?

[B]

The official answer is no. Like we talked about, there's been no declaration of war by Congress. And U.S. leaders say this was a one time operation, not the start of a larger conflict. But anytime one country uses military force inside another, even briefly, other nations pay attention.

[A]

But what happens next?

[B]

A lot is still unknown. This situation is changing day by day. President Trump went on TV on Saturday to say that the US Was now going to, quote, run Venezuela. But no one knows what that means. And we know what happens with big, complicated news. Things will change a lot over the next few days as we get more information. And here is what else we're watching. Congress's reaction and response to whether or not the president went too far without their approval. The legal proceedings to come in the US Against President Maduro and his family, how people in Venezuela and Venezuelan expats are reacting. Expats are people who live outside of the country and as we said, how our allies around the world are reacting.

[A]

The story and update later this week in 10 things you need to know.

[B]

And that was our very first special report of 2026.

[A]

Wow. What a wild way to start the year. Can we take a brain break before we do this week's 10 things you need to know?

[B]

Absolutely. Want to hit the science museum or maybe get some boba tea?

[A]

Both, obviously. But before we do, here's a quick note for the grownups.

[C]

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[B]

The 10 News is a co production of Small But Mighty Media and Next Chapter Podcast and part of the Airwave Podcast Network. I'm Pamela Kirkland.

[A]

And I'm Ryan Willard. Thanks for listening to the 10 news.