Up First from NPR U.S. In Venezuela, Future Of Venezuela, Maduro In NYC Court
203 snips
Jan 5, 2026 
Greg Myrie, NPR national security correspondent, breaks down the complexities of U.S. actions in Venezuela and the limitations of American influence. Kerry Kahn, a correspondent in Colombia, shares insights on Delcy Rodriguez's shift from defiance to potential cooperation amid U.S. pressures. Kerry Johnson, justice correspondent, details the legal implications of Nicolás Maduro's looming court appearance in New York, facing serious charges among jurisdictional challenges. Together, they unravel the intricate dynamics at play in Venezuela's political landscape.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Claiming Control Without Presence
- President Trump claimed "we're in charge" of Venezuela while U.S. forces briefly seized Maduro and left no lasting troop presence.
- Greg Myrie warns running Venezuela from afar gives the U.S. limited practical influence without a sustained diplomatic or military footprint.
Leverage Through Sanctions And Oil
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio framed U.S. aims as shaping Venezuelan policy and using sanctions to exert leverage.
- Rubio highlighted blocking oil tankers and pressing for U.S. oil investment as key levers over Venezuela's economy.
Monroe Doctrine Resurfaced
- Trump invoked an updated Monroe Doctrine, signaling U.S. dominance in the hemisphere despite prior anti-entanglement rhetoric.
- Greg Myrie cautioned that past U.S. removals of oil-rich leaders led to chaos, offering a warning about outcomes.