GZERO World with Ian Bremmer Gaming out a US-Venezuela war with ambassador James Story
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Nov 22, 2025 James Story, the former U.S. ambassador to Venezuela, dives into the complexities of a potential U.S. intervention in Venezuela. He discusses the precarious state of the country, noting its institutional failures and the challenges of rebuilding. Story emphasizes the importance of securing peace through military presence while strategizing long-term goals. He reveals the risks of regime change and how public support hinges on the execution method, warning that past negotiation attempts have often faltered. His insights on Venezuela’s future are both gripping and thought-provoking.
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Military Deployment Signals More Than Drug Policing
- The U.S. buildup of carriers and special forces signals readiness to act rather than merely counter-narcotics missions.
- James V. Story argues this concentration of force raises pressure to use those assets or face strategic costs.
Regime Removal Is Easier Than Reconstruction
- Removing Nicolás Maduro may be militarily feasible but rebuilding Venezuela is far harder.
- Story stresses institutions were destroyed over 25 years and post-removal stabilization will demand sustained effort.
Territorial Fragmentation And Armed Groups
- Venezuela lacks full territorial control and hosts multiple illegal armed groups and foreign proxies.
- Story warns that groups like FARC, ELN, Hezbollah and Tren de Aragua complicate any post-conflict governance.