The Dispatch Podcast The Capture of Nicolás Maduro
52 snips
Jan 5, 2026 
Jonah Goldberg, a conservative commentator, Gil Guerra, a policy analyst focusing on Latin America, and Mike Nelson, a retired Army Special Forces officer, dive deep into the complexities surrounding Nicolás Maduro's capture. They discuss the mixed motives behind the U.S. actions, the pitfalls of inconsistent messaging, and the potential long-term implications for regional stability. The conversation also touches on the significance of oil and drugs in policy justifications, as well as the cultural nuances involved in understanding this geopolitical event.
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Why Acting Now Reduced Future Costs
- Gil Guerra argues the U.S. acted because leaving Maduro in place would increase future costs across drugs, oil, migration, and governance.
- He also says removing Maduro establishes deterrence and preserves negotiating credibility.
Power As A Driver, Not Just Policy
- Gil warns part of the motivation was power: "the United States removed Maduro because it could."
- He finds that both necessary outcome and troubling embrace of raw power without safeguards.
Tactical Success, Strategic Messaging Failure
- Jonah Goldberg praised the tactical success but criticized the administration's failure to make a clear, consistent public case.
- He warns lack of Congressional buy-in raises political and operational risk if the situation gets hard.
