Scott Horton Show - Just the Interviews 10/31/25 José Niño on How US-Venezuela Relations Spiraled into Military Confrontation
Nov 3, 2025
José Niño, a Venezuelan-American journalist and deputy editor at Headline USA, dives into the tumultuous U.S.-Venezuela relations, focusing on the Trump administration's push for regime change. He critiques the U.S. military's approach and highlights the moral and strategic costs of potential invasions. Niño also discusses the historical context of Venezuelan nationalism, the complexities of opposition, and how regime change serves various U.S. domestic agendas. It's an insightful conversation that uncovers the tangled web of geopolitics and economic interests.
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Large Naval Buildup Signals Real Military Intent
- The U.S. buildup off Venezuela suggests a likely punitive strike rather than mere gunboat diplomacy.
- José Niño says the goal may be a quick, confidence-boosting action likened to Panama or Grenada.
Punitive Boat Strikes Undermine Regime-Change Goals
- Striking civilian boats without proof backfires politically and hardens Venezuelan public opinion.
- Niño argues such sadistic acts undermine any prospect of winning hearts and minds for regime change.
Blunt Military Moves Kill Plausible Deniability
- Open military actions and televised hits destroy plausible-deniability tactics used in past color revolutions.
- Niño says this brazenness helps Maduro rally global sympathy and domestic support.
