Firing Line with Margaret Hoover Elliott Abrams makes the case for a democratic Venezuela
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Jan 10, 2026 
Elliott Abrams, a seasoned U.S. diplomat with decades of experience in Latin American policy, discusses the complexities surrounding Venezuela and U.S. foreign policy. He critiques the post-Trump alignment with remnants of Maduro’s regime, emphasizing the moral implications of seizing Venezuelan oil. Abrams highlights the importance of supporting democratic opposition and warns against hasty military actions. He also touches on the potential effects of regime change on Cuba and America's traditional values in the context of the nation's 250th anniversary.
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Why Venezuela's Priority Puzzles Veteran Diplomats
- Elliott Abrams finds Trump's Venezuela focus puzzling amid bigger global crises like Ukraine, Gaza, and Taiwan.
- He cites migration, drugs, and foreign adversary presence as plausible but not top-tier reasons.
Rejecting 'Might Makes Right' For Resources
- Abrams objects to prioritizing oil over human rights and warns it undermines U.S. principles.
- He argues seizing resources would create a 'might makes right' world the U.S. historically rejected.
Regime Is A Collective 'Junta,' Not Just One Man
- Abrams recalls the Venezuelan regime as more than Maduro, calling it a junta of 'really bad people.'
- He stresses those figures remain in charge despite Maduro's capture.