The Rest Is Politics: US 143. Trump’s Venezuela Attack: Maduro Captured, What’s Next?
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Jan 3, 2026 A dramatic US operation extracts Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, raising questions about the implications for humanitarian efforts and legality. The hosts debate the risks of intervention versus potential benefits, while analyzing past US military actions. They delve into Trump's messaging and the international fallout, especially regarding China and Russia. Concerns about congressional approval and domestic political reactions come to light. Predictions for Venezuela's future governance and stability add an intriguing layer to the conversation.
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Dramatic US Extraction Of Maduro
- The US conducted a dramatic overnight operation to extract Nicolás Maduro and his wife to face trial in New York.
- Katty Kay frames this as the biggest US attack in Latin America since 1989 with wide geopolitical consequences.
Maduro's Removal Raises Global Questions
- Both hosts agree Maduro was illegitimate and responsible for narcotrafficking and severe corruption.
- They warn the removal raises complex questions for long-term stability and for great-power rivals like China and Russia.
Good For People, Risky For International Order
- Anthony Scaramucci stresses the operation's benefits for Venezuelans but calls it a violation of international law.
- He compares the risks to past regime removals like Libya and Iraq, urging humility about long-term outcomes.