The Peter Zeihan Podcast Series Imminent US Strikes Against Venezuelan Government || Peter Zeihan
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Nov 8, 2025 The imminent U.S. military strikes against Venezuela highlight a frail military landscape in the country. The degradation of Latin American militaries since the 1980s is explored, alongside how Hugo Chavez's rule transformed Venezuela's armed forces into a corrupt entity. Current assessments reveal outdated equipment and poor leadership. A potential U.S. removal of Maduro could be swift, but fears of post-regime chaos and armed unrest loom large due to widespread civilian access to firearms.
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Quick Overthrow, Hard Reconstruction
- The U.S. can remove Venezuela's government rapidly due to overwhelming military superiority and regional staging assets.
- Peter Zeihan warns removal is easy but rebuilding a stable post-regime government will be messy and prolonged.
Venezuela's Military Is Degraded
- Venezuela's military was hollowed out after democracy returned and then corrupted under Chavez and Maduro.
- Zeihan describes the force as leadership-drained, poorly equipped, and functioning as a corruption sieve rather than an effective military.
Chávez Bought Loyalty, Not Capabilities
- Hugo Chávez, a former military man, seized power and then bought off military leaders rather than building a modern force.
- He later purchased poor-quality Russian equipment that now largely fails to function in 2025.