Verdict with Ted Cruz — "Venezuela Victory part 2: Historically Transforming Latin America & What Happens Next"

Release Date: January 7, 2026
Hosts: Senator Ted Cruz, Ben Ferguson

Episode Overview

This episode is the second part of a deep dive into the historic developments in Venezuela following the capture and arrest of Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Senator Ted Cruz and co-host Ben Ferguson address lingering questions about the operation, examine broader geopolitical implications for Latin America and the Western Hemisphere, and discuss what comes next for Venezuela—including who should lead the nation and what the US ought to support.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Was Maduro’s Wife Arrested? (04:25–10:22)

• Background of Celia Flores (Maduro's Wife):
  • Flores is not a mere figurehead or "housewife," but a powerful player in Venezuela's corrupt regime.
  • She’s a lawyer, a long-time Chavez loyalist and enabler, known as the "Latin Lady Macbeth" and "First Warrior."
  • Substantially involved in narco-trafficking and sanctioned by the US Treasury for corruption and trafficking.
  • Her nephews ("narco nephews") were previously arrested in the US for drug trafficking to fund her campaign.
  • Flores played a crucial role not only in supporting Hugo Chavez but also in building Maduro’s criminal apparatus.
  • Notable quote:
    Ted Cruz [05:47]: "She is a fundamental figure in corruption in Venezuela, absolutely fundamental, and especially in the structure of power. Many people consider her far more astute and shrewd than Maduro himself."
• Media Reaction:
  • The mainstream media’s portrayal of Flores as an “innocent old lady” is misleading—the hosts stress her deep involvement in criminal activities.
  • Ted Cruz [10:07]: "You know, sweet little old lady Attorney General, narco terrorist, drug trafficker. But other than that, she's a sweet little old lady."
• Importance of Her Arrest:
  • The arrest isn’t arbitrary—it targets a central architect of regime corruption and narco-terror.

2. The Western Hemisphere & National Security (11:24–25:43)

• Western Hemisphere Defined:
  • Encompasses North and South America and the Caribbean; it's "our half of the world."
  • The Monroe Doctrine established the US’s protective stance towards the region; Trump’s approach now dubbed the "Donroe Doctrine."
• Historical Context:
  • Cruz recounts a story about legal precedent (the Noriega arrest in Panama) and how negotiations for voluntary exile have repeatedly failed with dictators.
  • Both Noriega and Maduro refused exile, leading to forceful removal.
  • Notable quote:
    Cruz [16:17]: "That took cast iron balls to issue that order, because frankly, it could have gone wrong a thousand different ways."
• Operation Details:
  • The military executed a high-precision raid without US casualties (except two non-fatal injuries), despite heavy Cuban guard presence.
  • Delta Force physically shielded Maduro and Flores during the firefight, aiming to bring them back for trial, not to execute.
• Broader Implications:
  • Regime change in Venezuela shakes the foundation of neighboring dictatorships.
  • The fall of “invincible” figures weakens remaining communist regimes—the Cuban and Nicaraguan governments face increased instability.
  • The importance of projecting strength:
    Cruz [22:50]: "Dictatorships depend upon the perception of strength, the perception of invulnerability... The fact that Maduro was captured has weakened the communist regime there. But the communist regime in Cuba, the fact that their soldiers were just obliterated, just like it weakens Iran, it weakens Cuba as well."
  • Opportunity for "more freedom-loving and America-loving leaders" to emerge in Latin America.

3. Mexico’s Position & Implications for Anti-Narco Policy (25:43–33:31)

• Mexico—A Unique Case:
  • Not a failed state; President Sheinbaum is a leftist but not parallel to Maduro.
  • US–Mexico interdependence through trade and water treaties; recent victories on enforcement under Trump with direct negotiation.
• Narco-Traffic & National Security:
  • The arrest in Venezuela sends a message; the US expects cooperation to tackle narco-traffickers in Mexico or will act unilaterally.
  • Importance of US resolve and operational excellence compared to previous administrations (e.g., Carter-era debacle).
    Cruz [33:10]: "You don't have a bunch of lawyers DEI-ing it anymore like they were before. You don't have a bunch of dudes acting like chicks that are trying to get in the armed forces."
• Broader Strategy:
  • The world is "better off with a strong commander in chief."
  • The contrast between Biden's "weakness" and Trump's "decisiveness" is a recurring argument.

4. What’s Next for Venezuela? (33:31–43:41)

• No "Forever War":
  • The operation was an "arrest," not an invasion—no US occupation or long-term military presence is anticipated.
  • Cruz [34:43]: "This is not a forever war. It's not even a war. This was a military operation to execute an arrest warrant... It took a couple of hours and was over."
• Current Leadership:
  • Delsey Rodriguez—former VP, now interim President—is a staunch Marxist and anti-American.
  • Family ties and a history rooted in Marxist guerrilla violence color her leadership.
  • Incriminating details: sanctioned for corruption, implicated in illegal gold transport, tight family control (sworn in by her brother).
  • She’s cooperating for now—possibly motivated by Delta Force’s show of force—but remains untrustworthy.
• US Priorities:
  • Hosting free and fair elections, not perpetuating another anti-American regime.
  • The ultimate goal: regime change at the ballot box under democratic legitimacy.
  • The overwhelming economic potential of Venezuela’s natural resources—oil and gold—positions it for rapid recovery if a stable, pro-market government takes charge.
  • Cruz [42:27]: "It's why having free and fair elections and a stable government that is friends of the United States, that is not communist, is critical to the success not just of Venezuela, but to the success of America's relationship with Venezuela."
• Hopes for the Future:
  • American investment is conditioned on the rule of law and secure property rights.
  • A Venezuela freed of communism can recover to former prosperity and strengthen US–Latin American ties.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the gravity of the Venezuela raid’s success:
  Cruz [16:17]:
  "That took cast iron balls to issue that order, because frankly, it could have gone wrong a thousand different ways."

• On Delta Force’s courage:
  Cruz [17:10]:
  "You want to talk about the bravery of Delta Force, literally putting their bodies with body armor in front of Maduro and the first lady so that they didn't get shot by the Cubans. That's extraordinary."

• On Flores’ criminal mastermind role:
  Ferguson [07:44]:
  "They're like, if you think this is just some first lady, in essence, a housewife. You are mistaken. She is ruthless to the core, as they described it, saying that she was a businesswoman that the mob would even be afraid of."

• On the media’s treatment of Flores:
  Cruz [10:07]:
  "Sweet little old lady Attorney General, narco terrorist, drug trafficker. But other than that, she's a sweet little old lady."

• On US foreign policy under Trump:
  Cruz [34:43]:
  "This is not a forever war. ... It was about a two hour war. And I wouldn't even call it a war. It was ... an arrest with the military supporting..."

• On the vital need for regime change through democracy:
  Cruz [42:27]:
  "I very much hope will be regime change at the ballot box, which is a very different thing. That it will be the voters, that there will be free and fair elections, and the voters will choose."

Important Segment Timestamps

• 04:25–10:22: Deep dive into Celia Flores' background and the necessity of her arrest
• 11:24–16:42: Explanation of "Western Hemisphere," historical parallels, and legal justifications
• 16:42–18:52: Details on the military raid in Venezuela, and conversation with Trump on the operation's significance
• 20:23–25:43: The impact on Cuba, ripple effects for other regimes
• 25:43–33:31: Mexico's role, narco-trafficking, and US leverage via water treaties
• 33:31–43:41: Fears of “forever wars,” interim government under Delsey Rodriguez, and the path toward free and fair elections
• Notable exchanges: Courage and risks of military action, mockery of media coverage, and emphasis on regime change by democratic means

Tone & Style

• The tone is intensely partisan, urgent, and often combative—a hallmark of Cruz and Ferguson’s style.
• Frequent use of humor and sarcasm to critique both political opponents and media portrayals.
• Conversations display both a sense of historical gravity and gusto in framing recent US actions as bold, corrective, and consequential.

Summary Takeaway

This episode analyzes the aftermath of the US-led operation in Venezuela, highlighting the legal, moral, and strategic cases for arresting both Maduro and his wife. The hosts argue the operation is a turning point for Latin America—weakening authoritarian regimes, sending a warning to others, and opening the door for genuine democratic transformation. They stress the importance of fair elections and a rapid transition to prosperity, with the US keeping a keen watch but avoiding long-term entanglement.

Listeners are left with a detailed understanding of why the operation matters—and why, in the hosts’ view, strong leadership and moral clarity are essential for securing American interests and aiding Latin American liberty.