Democracy Now! Audio Democracy Now! 2026-01-05 Monday
9 snips
Jan 5, 2026 
David Cole, a constitutional law expert, dives into the legality of the recent U.S. military action against Venezuela, calling it an imperialist act. Andreina Chavez shares firsthand accounts from Caracas, highlighting local resistance and the impact of U.S. aggression. Historian Miguel Tinker Salas discusses Venezuela's rich resource wealth and critiques Trump's oil motives. Alejandro Velasco analyzes potential internal collusion regarding Maduro's capture and regional reactions to U.S. interventions, painting a complex picture of Venezuelan politics and diplomacy.
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U.S. Operation Framed Around Seizing Oil
- The U.S. launched a large-scale military operation that abducted President Nicolás Maduro and his wife and transported them to the U.S. for prosecution.
- President Trump openly framed the operation as a means to seize and exploit Venezuela's oil reserves.
Caracas Hit Hard; Civilian Protests Erupt
- Andreina Chavez reports Caracas suffered bombings, power outages, and civilian casualties during the early-morning strikes.
- She describes organized street protests demanding Maduro's return and rejecting U.S. drug-trafficking allegations as false.
Legal Cover Used For Imperial Intervention
- Georgetown's David Cole argues the action was not law enforcement but imperialist intervention that bypassed Congress.
- He says the operation's stated pretext (arrest) served as cover for regime-change aims and resource seizure.
