Podcast Summary: ¿Y la democracia? Trump humilla a la derecha con Venezuela

Un tema Al Día · elDiario.es · 9 de enero de 2026
Host: Juan Luis Sánchez
Guests: Íñigo Sáenz Ugarte, Javier Bioska

Overview

In this episode, host Juan Luis Sánchez dives into the dramatic recent developments in Venezuela following the controversial presidential elections of July 2024, Donald Trump’s military intervention, and the subsequent diplomatic pivot by the United States. The episode explores how years of international rhetoric championing democracy in Venezuela have faltered in the face of geopolitical and economic interests—culminating in what Sánchez calls a "humiliation" for the global right and the Venezuelan opposition.

Key Discussion Points

1. The Broken Promise of Democracy in Venezuela

• Elections of July 2024: Nicolás Maduro declares victory amid widespread accusations of electoral opacity and fraud, with both international actors and the Venezuelan opposition denouncing the results ([01:04]).
• Opposition’s Parallel Claim: María Corina Machado, leader of the opposition, announces their candidate Edmundo González as the true president, prompting several countries (including the US, UK, Argentina) to recognize González ([01:26]).

Notable Quote

"Queremos decirle a todos los venezolanos y al mundo entero que Venezuela tiene un nuevo presidente electo y es Edmundo González."
—María Corina Machado ([01:26])

2. The Right’s Embrace of the Venezuelan Opposition

• European and Latin American right-wing parties, notably Spain’s Partido Popular (PP) and Vox, rally behind María Corina Machado. Vox even produces a documentary glorifying her struggle ([02:12]).
• Defense of Venezuelan democracy becomes symbolic of the right’s global agenda.

Notable Quote

"María Corina es una mujer valiente que se ha enfrentado y se enfrenta a un régimen criminal."
—Vox documentary excerpt ([02:29])

3. Trump’s Calculated Intervention & Sudden Shift

• First Days of 2026: Trump attacks Venezuela, kidnaps Maduro, but instead of empowering the opposition or holding elections, the US recognizes regime insiders (Delcy Rodríguez, Jorge Rodríguez, etc.) to ensure oil flows. The opposition is sidelined ([03:25], [04:10]).
• Pivot from Democracy to Oil: The priority for the Trump administration is explicit—control and extraction of Venezuelan oil ([09:06]).

Notable Quote

"Evidentemente la prioridad no era la democracia y no lo ha sido nunca… Trump ha dicho que lo primero y la prioridad absoluta es la extracción del petróleo de Venezuela por parte de empresas estadounidenses."
—Javier Bioska ([09:06])

4. Recap of Past Failures: The Guaidó Precedent

• Javier Bioska recounts the brief international recognition of Juan Guaidó in 2019 and its rapid collapse, underscoring a pattern of US promises to the Venezuelan opposition that are never fulfilled ([04:38]–[06:54]).

5. Anatomy of the Chavista Regime Without Maduro

• Four power players: Delcy Rodríguez (now president), her brother Jorge Rodríguez, Vladimir Padrino (minister of defense), and Diosdado Cabello (minister of interior)—all central to the regime’s stability and supported by US interests for pragmatic reasons ([07:25]).

6. The Tools of US Leverage: Blockades and Threats

• Analysis of how US naval blockades and control over Venezuela’s oil revenue, plus threats of targeted military strikes, are Trump’s main levers with the new regime ([10:25]).

Notable Quote

"La palanca fundamental… es el petróleo… sin esos ingresos el Estado venezolano entra en total y absoluta bancarrota…”
—Íñigo Sáenz Ugarte ([10:25])

7. International Right’s Response: Shock and Disarray

• The European right, especially Spain’s PP, is left confused, with no answers to Trump’s betrayal; they issue ambiguous statements not addressing the realpolitik shift ([12:02]).

Notable Quote

“El PP ha quedado descolocado, decepcionado, y al final ha decidido mantener una posición que es legítima… pero claro, esto es absurdo porque Trump nunca va a permitir que González quede instaurado como presidente de Venezuela.”
—Íñigo Sáenz Ugarte ([12:02])

8. Is Democracy Still a Priority?

• Host and guests discuss the slim prospects for free elections or meaningful change—Trump’s unpredictable nature and fixation on oil mean democracy will remain secondary ([14:23]).

9. Rifts on the Global Right

• Trump’s approach forces a split: some stick with Trump for power, while others (e.g., Aznar Foundation) reject his trampling of transatlantic alliances and democratic claims ([16:47]).

Notable Quote

“Antes, subirte a la ola de Donald Trump… era compatible con defender la democracia en Venezuela. Y ahora ya no tanto.”
—Juan Luis Sánchez ([16:28])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:04] – International and opposition rejection of Maduro's 2024 election win
• [01:26] – Machado proclaims Edmundo González president
• [03:25] – Machado becomes a right-wing icon; receives Nobel Peace Prize
• [04:38]–[06:54] – Guaidó episode and history of failed US-backed transitions
• [07:25] – Who holds power in post-Maduro Venezuela
• [09:06] – US policy priorities: Oil over democracy
• [10:25] – US leverage: blockades and threats
• [12:02] – European right's disarray
• [14:23] – Outlook for democracy in Venezuela
• [16:28]–[18:25] – Fractures on the political right; Trump’s global impact

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “Vamos a privatizarlo todo. Tenemos más petróleo que Arabia Saudí, y todo ese petróleo puede fluir en un mercado libre.”
  —Paraphrased from Machado’s remarks on Donald Trump Jr.’s podcast ([03:25])
• “La incertidumbre es máxima porque el personaje es lo que es y Trump es capaz de decir una cosa un lunes y la contraria un miércoles.”
  —Íñigo Sáenz Ugarte ([14:23])
• “Ahora, ya no es compatible defender a Trump y defender la democracia en Venezuela.”
  —Juan Luis Sánchez ([16:28])

Conclusion

This episode presents a nuanced but sobering analysis of how the dream of a democratic Venezuela has been upended by great-power realpolitik—specifically, Trump's prioritization of oil. The enduring narrative of the US (and its allies) supporting Venezuelan democracy is exposed as largely performative. The political right, both in Spain and beyond, is left without answers or influence. As the episode closes, the guests reflect on a divided right and an uncertain future for Venezuela’s political landscape.

This summary was prepared using the episode transcript while preserving the speakers’ tone and style. It omits ad breaks and production credits.