UK Column News The Shocking Venezuela Kidnapping: Geopolitics, Minerals & The Future of Latin America | Fernando Munoz | Silk and Steel
Shocking Venezuela Kidnapping: Geopolitics, Minerals & The Future of Latin America | Silk and Steel
► Subscribe to the UK Column YouTube channel ► https://bit.ly/ukcolumnofficial
In this urgent episode of the Silk and Steel podcast, host Carl Zha is joined by Fernando Munoz, a Colombian entrepreneur and political commentator based in China. They dissected the stunning January 3rd event where US Special Forces kidnapped Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Fernando provides an expert, on-the-ground analysis of the real motives behind the operation, the geopolitical implications for Colombia and the region, and the complex roles of China, Russia, and Iran.
Key Takeaways:
The operation was "too easy," revealing deep vulnerabilities in Venezuela's sovereignty and a lack of meaningful condemnation from Western powers.
The primary goal is NOT oil or drugs, but to expel Chinese, Russian, and Iranian influence and secure Venezuela's vast mineral reserves critical for the US military-industrial complex.
Colombia's upcoming election is a major flashpoint. Fernando explains why the left is poised to win again and how the US might respond.
Why China's non-interference principle means it won't militarily intervene, and how it's building influence in Latin America through development and "soft power" instead.
The critical need for digital sovereignty in the Global South to counter Western-controlled narratives.
► Join UK Column Live every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1pm UK time or watch previous live recordings here: https://bit.ly/UKColumn_Live
► [UK Column Website] Explore all our written and video content on the official UK Column website: https://www.ukcolumn.org/
► [Support UK Column] Please donate to support our independent journalism & investigative journalism: https://support.ukcolumn.org/
► [UK Column YouTube] Please subscribe to the UK Column News YouTube channel for more alternative news and independent news: https://bit.ly/ukcolumnofficial
Follow #UKColumn on:
► X: https://x.com/ukcolumn
► Telegram: https://t.me/ukcolumn
► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UKColumnExtracts
► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uk_column_news
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction to Fernando Munoz
01:00 - Fernando's Background: From Business in China to "Media Without Means"
03:30 - Breaking Down the Venezuela Operation: Why It Was "Too Easy"
09:00 - The Real Motives: Minerals, China, Iran & Russia (Not Oil)
15:00 - Analysis of Acting President Delcy Rodriguez & US Concessions
20:00 - Can China Project Military Power to Defend Venezuela? The Principle of Non-Interference
30:00 - The Cuba Missile Crisis Precedent & The "North Korea Lesson"
33:00 - Internal Divisions: Latin American Elites vs. The People
37:00 - Deep Dive: Colombia's Political Landscape & Upcoming Election
45:00 - Petro's Populist Moves & Why Iván Cepeda is Likely to Win
49:00 - The "Gran Colombia" Idea & US Opposition to Regional Unity
53:00 - How China Gains Influence: Ports, Rails, Education (The Xi'an Subway Example)
01:00:00 - The Petrodollar, De-Dollarization, and US Decline
01:01:30 - The Critical Battle for Digital Sovereignty & Soft Power