NatSec Matters Venezuela with David Shedd & One Million Downloads
Jan 7, 2026
In a captivating discussion, David Shedd, former acting director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, delves into a daring U.S. military operation aimed at capturing Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro for narco-terrorism. He reveals the intricate planning, surprising failures of Venezuelan security, and the operation’s dual motive of regime change. Shedd also highlights the current power dynamics in Venezuela, the implications for Latin America, and the complexities surrounding future governance and U.S. policy.
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Operation Built On Deep Intelligence Integration
- The Maduro operation required extensive intelligence integration and weeks of meticulous planning.
- The mission combined human sources, SIGINT, cyber, GEOINT, FBI, DEA, CIA, and Special Operations to operationalize the arrest.
Surprise And Suppression Enabled Smooth Capture
- Surprise and air-defense suppression explain the lack of Venezuelan resistance during the raid.
- Delta's professionalism and deception operations neutralized Maduro's protective detail and created operational success.
Law Enforcement Framing Masked A Regime-Change Aim
- The operation blended a law-enforcement pretext with an underlying goal of regime change.
- Shedd assesses the end objective is restoring democratic governance and reversing Venezuela's economic and political decline.
