Podcast Summary: VINCE – "Maduro F'ed Around and Found Out" | Episode 196
Host: Vince Coglianese
Guest: Mike Gonzalez (Heritage Foundation)
Date: January 5, 2026
Episode Overview
In this high-energy episode, Vince Coglianese breaks down the monumental U.S. operation that captured Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, drawing parallels to historic regime changes and exploring the implications for Venezuela, the Western Hemisphere, and the United States. With expert insight from Mike Gonzalez, the discussion digs deep into the strategic, humanitarian, and cultural impact of the raid, and touches on related geopolitical shifts and the domestic response—including a notable side segment on the departure of Dan Bongino from the FBI.
1. Bongino’s FBI Farewell: Evaluating Law Enforcement Success
[04:00–08:30]
- Vince recaps Dan Bongino's exit as FBI Deputy Director, highlighting his law enforcement legacy:
- Historic drop in U.S. murder and drug deaths:
“There was a historic 20% drop in the nationwide murder rate...homicide rate has fallen to record lows.”
(Vince, 03:58) - Major disruptions of gangs (1,800+), narco operations, and espionage arrests.
- Landmark increase (490%) in arrests for “nihilistic violent extremism.”
- Notably, Bongino also “caught the pipe bomber,” a personal crusade.
- Historic drop in U.S. murder and drug deaths:
“He can leave with his head held high. A lot to be proud of.” (Vince, 09:02)
- Vince anticipates Bongino’s next move, hoping for media revelations based on his inside experience.
2. The Raid on Nicolás Maduro: Operation and Immediate Impact
[11:44–22:56]
Background: How Venezuela Became a Narco-State
- Venezuela’s economic future was shaped by U.S.-built oil infrastructure, later stolen by Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro under the banner of socialism.
- Maduro, insulated by Cuban guards, operated both a brutal regime and a major narco-cartel.
- Despite years of indictments (from Trump and continued by Biden), Maduro remained at large, enriching himself while his people starved.
The Operation
-
Execution:
A joint U.S. military/FBI/CIA operation—executed in under three hours—raided Caracas, apprehended Maduro and his wife, and evacuated them to the USS Iwo Jima, then New York.“Last night, on the order of the President of the United States…U.S. military conducted an apprehension mission in Caracas, Venezuela, to bring to justice two indicted persons, Nicolas and Cecilia Maduro. Nicolas Maduro had his chance—until he didn’t. He effed around and he found out.”
(White House Press Briefing, 14:52) -
Details:
- Power was cut to the city to ensure confusion.
- Delta Force intercepted Maduro, killing 32 Cuban guards (no U.S. casualties).
- If Maduro had reached his safe room, U.S. forces were prepared to breach it in “47 seconds” (presidential allusion to the 47th presidency).
- President Trump described it as an operation of "unbelievable professionalism."
“I was able to watch it in real time...no death on our side is really amazing.” (Trump, 18:35)
Public and Global Reaction
- Perp-walk spectacle: DEA agents escorted Maduro to court in New York, documented on social media by Trump and widely mocked.
- Massive spontaneous celebrations erupted among the Venezuelan diaspora, especially in Buenos Aires and worldwide.
- Vince and Mike Gonzalez humorously discuss one party soundtrack—the “Ketchup Song”—and revel in the joy of Venezuelans.
3. The Significance of Maduro’s Capture (with Mike Gonzalez)
[33:34–51:03]
Why Did the U.S. Act?
- Strategic priorities:
- End the flow of narcotics (“the Venezuelan government was not a government, it was a cartel” – Mike Gonzalez, 36:51).
- Save American lives, especially those in areas heavily impacted by drug smuggling.
- Reclaim stolen U.S. oil assets—Venezuela’s oil, once a U.S.-built industry, was expropriated and funneled to U.S. adversaries (China, Cuba, Iran).
“Priority one is to stop the deaths, the deaths due to drugs in the United States.”
(Vince, 38:40)
- Geopolitical context:
- Venezuela had become a base for adversarial interests, particularly China’s.
- The Western Hemisphere, Vince argues, is vital for U.S. national security:
“It is of paramount importance for national security that the Western Hemisphere be under American control...China...has made massive inroads into Venezuela.” (Vince, 28:58)
Comparison to Previous Regime Changes
- Vince draws on historical cases (Germany/Japan vs. Iraq) to argue that Venezuela’s cultural cohesion and legacy of democratic institutions provide hope for a stable transition.
- Gonzalez supports optimism, highlighting “dancing Venezuelans” and a sense of liberation among the populace.
The Cuban Connection
- The majority of Maduro’s personal protection were Cuban agents (32 killed in the raid).
- Gonzalez reveals:
- Approximately 15,000 Cuban operatives remain in Caracas.
- Cuba orchestrates subversion in both Venezuela and the U.S., including funding for disruptive groups.
“If you see pro-Maduro demonstrations, they’re not grassroots. They’re organized by pro-China groups. If they’re anti-Maduro, these are really spontaneous outpourings of emotion by Venezuelans who have been suppressed for decades now.”
(Mike Gonzalez, 50:30)
Looking Ahead: Who Controls Venezuela Now?
- Vice President Delcy Rodríguez (herself a regime veteran) is now the point person, but U.S. pressure is expected to ensure her compliance.
- Vince and Mike stress that U.S. interests—especially limiting narco-trafficking and oil theft—dominate the post-Maduro calculus.
4. U.S. Domestic Reactions, Communism in American Cities, and Political Fallout
[41:23–46:55]
- Communist Sentiment in the U.S.:
- Discussion shifts to Zoran Mamdani, New York’s new mayor, a self-described collectivist who denounced the Maduro operation.
- Gonzalez and Vince bemoan the growing Marxist influence domestically.
“Isn’t the warmth of collectivism responsible for the deaths of nearly 100 million people in the last century?”
(Vince, 44:05)
- Vince humorously suggests Maduro should have been extradited to Miami, not New York, given NYC's current leadership.
Historical Perspective: Noriega’s Arrest as Parallel
- Mike Gonzalez recounts his own experience being imprisoned under Panamanian dictator Noriega; the U.S. operation to capture Noriega and bring him to justice is paralleled to Maduro’s fate.
5. Broader U.S. Political News: Tim Walz Scandal
[51:18–end]
- Brief coverage at episode's end: Tim Walz, Minnesota's governor, bows out of re-election amid extensive fraud scandals tied to daycare and food programs.
- Vince attributes Walz’s ouster to heightened public scrutiny and considers it a step toward greater political accountability.
Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
-
“Nicolas Maduro had his chance—until he didn’t. He effed around and he found out.”
(White House Briefing, 14:52) -
“Could you imagine what the chaos of that must have been like? How are Venezuelans reacting all around the world?”
(Vince, 19:25) -
“The Venezuelan government was not a government, it was a cartel…He was the head of a cartel.”
(Mike Gonzalez, 36:51) -
“No celebration of something that makes people happy that Trump’s responsible for would be complete without YMCA and the Trump dance.”
(Vince, 23:34) -
“We will draw this city closer together. We will replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism.”
(Zoran Mamdani, 43:15; cited by Vince)
Important Segment Timestamps
- [04:00] – Vince recaps Dan Bongino’s FBI record
- [11:44] – Background on Venezuela’s descent into dictatorship and narco-state
- [14:48] – White House press briefing on the Maduro operation
- [18:35] – President Trump’s reaction and operational details
- [22:05] – Footage of Maduro’s perp-walk and public reaction
- [33:34] – Mike Gonzalez joins: expert breakdown begins
- [36:51] – Why America targeted Maduro: narcotics, cartel, and regime
- [41:23] – Discussion of American communism and public officials’ reactions
- [46:09] – Mike Gonzalez’s personal Noriega story and parallels
- [50:54] – The Cuban role in orchestrating chaos in Venezuela and the US
Tone and Style
Vince maintains his trademark, punchy and sardonic delivery throughout, mixing sharp-witted asides and pop culture references to keep the content lively and engaging. The conversation with Mike Gonzalez is both insightful and peppered with humor, urgency, and deep expertise, making complex geopolitical developments accessible to the audience.