UNBIASED Politics – Special Report, Jan 5, 2026

Everything You Need to Know About the Venezuelan Operation and Capture of Nicolás Maduro

Host: Jordan Berman
Air Date: January 5, 2026

Episode Overview

Jordan Berman kicks off 2026 with a comprehensive special report on the dramatic U.S.-led capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, codenamed "Operation Absolute Resolve." The episode unpacks the Maduro regime’s background, the details of the operation, investigations into legal and geopolitical questions, and the varied reactions from Venezuelans, Americans, and abroad. True to the podcast’s ethos, listeners are guided through the complex legal, political, and ethical ramifications as impartially as possible.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Who is Nicolás Maduro? ([00:38]–[07:30])

• Background: Maduro, a former bus driver and union leader, rose through the socialist ranks under Hugo Chávez, ultimately serving as Chávez's vice president.
• Ascent to Power: Became interim president upon Chávez's death in 2013, then narrowly won a special election marked by allegations of irregularities.
• Legitimacy in Question: Early years seen as legitimate, but later elections (notably 2018 and 2024) marred by opposition crackdowns, rigged results, and international condemnation. By 2024, Maduro was widely viewed as an illegitimate ruler.

“At this point in time, Maduro was considered to be the rightly elected president of Venezuela. It wasn’t until later that that changed.” – Jordan Berman [03:35]

2. Venezuela’s Economic Collapse ([03:40]–[07:37])

• Oil Dependency: Venezuela’s economy overwhelmingly dependent on oil; a 2014 global price crash devastated revenues.
• Spiraling Crises: Lack of funds led to shortages (food, medi­cine, electricity), price controls stifled local production, and black markets flourished.
• Role of Sanctions: Initial U.S. sanctions (2014–15) responded to democratic backsliding and abuses. They worsened, but did not cause, the economic meltdown.

“Sanctions didn’t cause the collapse, but sanctions did tighten the constraints on a country that was already struggling.” – Jordan Berman [05:39]

3. Maduro’s Regime: Corruption and Consolidation ([06:55]–[10:05])

• Manipulation of Power: Creation of parallel constitutions and assemblies, marginalizing opposition.
• Elections: Repeated allegations of fraud, intimidation, and tampering, especially the 2018 and 2024 elections.
• Widespread Nonrecognition: Most of the international community and the majority of Venezuelans no longer saw Maduro as the rightful president.

4. How the Operation Unfolded: Operation Absolute Resolve ([10:09]–[14:17])

• Months of Preparation: CIA operatives gathered granular details on Maduro; U.S. Special Forces trained on compound replicas, similar to pre-bin Laden raid tactics.
• Key Players: Trump approved the mission, aided by high-ranking U.S. officials (e.g., Marco Rubio, Pete Hegseth).
• Execution: On Jan 3, 2026, late at night, 150 U.S. aircraft were deployed. Air defenses and power were targeted to create blackouts. Special Forces and FBI agents stormed the compound.
• Capture: Maduro and his wife were taken by surprise (per General Dan Kane), failing to reach their safe room.
• Aftermath: Minimal U.S. casualties. Maduro and his wife flown to New York, indicted in the Southern District court, where they pleaded not guilty.

“At 1:01 Eastern Time… the Special Forces closed in on Maduro’s compound. Meanwhile, back in Palm Beach, the President was watching a live feed…” – Jordan Berman [12:35]

“According to Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Kane, Maduro and his wife were, quote, 'taken completely by surprise.'” [12:58]

5. Legal and Strategic Reasons for the Capture ([17:44]–[24:05])

A. Criminal Charges

• Indictment Details: Narco-terrorism, conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, machine gun possession.
• Clarifying ‘Conspiracy’: Explained as an agreement between two or more people with the intent to pursue a criminal act.

“When we see charges like narco terrorism conspiracy… it means that Maduro allegedly had an agreement with at least one other person to commit [those crimes].” – Jordan Berman [18:33]

B. Oil & Geopolitics

• Oil as a Motive: Venezuela has the world’s largest crude reserves, reliant on U.S. refineries.
• Resource Control: Both critics and officials acknowledge U.S. interests in restoring Venezuela’s oil industry.

“‘We’re going to have our very large United States oil companies... go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure, and start making money for the country,’ end quote.” – Donald Trump (quoted by Jordan Berman) [21:10]

• China/Iran Factor: In recent years, with U.S. sanctions, Venezuela turned to China and Iran, complicating hemispheric alliances.

C. Regime Change

• Forcing out an Adversary: The U.S. interest in replacing an anti-American autocracy with a (potential) ally; however, core regime figures (e.g., VP, defense minister) remain in place.

6. Reactions and Fallout ([27:25]–[34:31])

A. In Venezuela

• Popular Reaction: Celebration mixed with uncertainty; concerns about stability, interim governance, and true democratic restoration.
• Some Opposition: Maduro loyalists view it as illegal intervention or kidnapping.

“The overwhelming majority of Venezuelans are celebrating Maduro’s capture… They see Maduro’s capture as long awaited justice and a great thing, but they’re not sure what comes next.” – Jordan Berman [28:00]

B. In the United States

• Partisan Divide: Trump supporters (mostly Republicans) applaud the action; critics (mostly Democrats) condemn it as illegal, destabilizing, and motivated by oil interests rather than humanitarian concerns.

“Generally, people on both sides of the aisle agree that Maduro is a terrible leader and should be replaced. But the disagreement is over how the United States got involved.” – Jordan Berman [29:40]

7. Did the Operation Violate International Law? ([39:15]–[44:05])

• International Legal Standards: Use of force is forbidden unless authorized by the UN Security Council or justified by self-defense.
• U.S. Arguments: Some officials invoke an “expanded self-defense” doctrine, framing narco-trafficking as an ongoing armed threat.
• Alternative Frame: Some depict it as a law enforcement, not a military, action.
• Enforcement Reality: International law is only as meaningful as its enforcement—which rarely extends to powerful or noncompliant states.

“International law is only as real as it is enforceable, right? … There are no real consequences.” – Jordan Berman [42:29]

8. Did Trump Need Congressional Approval? ([44:07]–[47:10])

• U.S. Constitutional Law: Only Congress can declare war, but the President wields significant “Article 2” Commander in Chief powers.
• War Powers Resolution: Permits the President to order short-term military actions without prior approval, so long as Congress is notified within 48 hours (action then limited to 90 days).
• Ongoing Ambiguity: The legality of such operations without explicit approval remains an unresolved constitutional gray area.

9. Can the U.S. Prosecute a Foreign Leader? ([47:11]–[48:50])

• Ker-Frisbie Doctrine: U.S. courts allow prosecution regardless of how a defendant is brought to the country, even if by force.
• Head-of-State Immunity: Only applies to recognized leaders; the U.S. withdrew recognition of Maduro, removing this barrier.

10. Concerns for Venezuela’s Future ([48:51]–[53:20])

• Post-Intervention Risks: Fear that U.S. intervention may destabilize Venezuela, recalling chaos in post-Saddam Iraq and post-Gaddafi Libya.
• Oil and Sovereignty: Warnings that U.S. primacy might subordinate Venezuelan interests to U.S. economic priorities.

11. What Does "U.S. Will Run Venezuela" Mean? ([53:21]–[54:57])

• Official Stance: U.S. (according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio) claims no intent for direct governance, but will shape policy via oil sanctions and economic levers.
• Current Status: Maduro’s vice president, Delsey Rodriguez, now serves as interim president; no special election planned until Maduro’s absence is declared 'permanent'.

12. Looking Ahead ([55:00]–[56:06])

• Uncertain Future: Trials for Maduro and his wife likely in U.S. court; Venezuela’s constitutional court will determine processes for transition.
• Geopolitical Repercussions: Watch for responses from Russia, China, and Iran, who may see this as aggressive U.S. ‘neocolonialism’.

13. Critical Thinking Segment ([56:07]–[56:18])

Jordan encourages listeners to evaluate:

• Distinctions between law enforcement and military force.
• Weighing intervention risks versus suffering under dictatorship.
• Pros and cons of requiring congressional approval for such operations.

Notable Quotes & Key Timestamps

| Quote | Speaker | Timestamp | |----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------|-----------| | “Sanctions didn’t cause the collapse, but sanctions did tighten the constraints on a country that was already struggling.” | Jordan Berman | 05:39 | | “According to Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Kane, Maduro and his wife were, quote, ‘taken completely by surprise.’”| Jordan Berman | 12:58 | | “‘We’re going to have our very large United States oil companies... go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure, and start making money for the country’”| Donald Trump (quoted by Jordan Berman)| 21:10 | | “International law is only as real as it is enforceable, right? … There are no real consequences.” | Jordan Berman | 42:29 | | “The overwhelming majority of Venezuelans are celebrating Maduro’s capture… but they’re not sure what comes next.” | Jordan Berman | 28:00 |

Conclusion

This special report serves as an essential primer on the capture of Nicolás Maduro, expertly navigating the tangled web of law, international relations, and human impact. Listeners walk away with a nuanced, multi-part perspective—well beyond headlines or soundbites.

For further clarity, use the timestamps above to revisit any particular segment or quote of interest.