The World and Everything In It 1.6.25 The capture of Maduro, Venezuela leadership, and functional neurology
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Jan 6, 2026 
Mike Nelson, a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel and counterterrorism expert, discusses the special operations that led to Nicolás Maduro's capture, shedding light on U.S. strategy and military execution. Mark Montgomery, a retired Navy Rear Admiral, analyzes the implications for U.S. objectives and the political landscape in Venezuela. Hunter Baker comments on Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's scandal-driven withdrawal from re-election, examining the systemic issues that enable such political fraud.
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U.S. Frames Capture As Lawful And Necessary
- The U.S. defended the Venezuela operation as lawful and necessary amid global criticism.
- Michael Waltz and others argued Maduro lacked legitimacy and posed criminal threats to the U.S.
Precision Raid With Massive Coordination
- Mike Nelson described a highly coordinated raid with 150 aircraft and special operators seizing Maduro in under three hours.
- He emphasized CIA intelligence, cyber/electronic warfare, and special aviation as critical enablers.
Operation Targeted Leadership, Not Military
- The operation targeted leadership rather than Venezuela's military infrastructure.
- Nelson called it regime modification, leaving much of the military intact under interim leadership.