The President's Daily Brief PDB Situation Report | January 24th, 2026: Is Cuba the Next Venezuela? & Xi’s Mass Crackdown
26 snips
Jan 24, 2026 
Gordon Chang, author and China analyst, offers brisk analysis of Xi Jinping’s sweeping loyalty purges. Daniel DiMartino, Manhattan Institute fellow with Venezuela experience, breaks down post-Maduro power shifts and regional pressure tactics. They discuss U.S. tactics toward Cuba, Venezuela’s weakened energy state, China’s mass discipline campaign, and risks of elite turmoil and accidental conflict.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
U.S. Seeks Regime Change In Cuba
- The White House is actively seeking to topple Cuba's communist government using pressure, backchannels, and lessons from Venezuela.
- U.S. officials view loss of Venezuelan oil as leaving Cuba uniquely vulnerable and see Venezuela as a possible blueprint.
Venezuela Still Controlled By Few
- Venezuela's post-Maduro leadership remains concentrated among a few hardline figures despite some reforms and prisoner releases.
- Oil production and infrastructure are severely degraded, limiting near-term recovery without major investment.
Make Staying Power Too Costly
- Pressure and incentives must make staying in power costlier than exile for regime insiders to comply with transitions.
- Use leaks, targeted actions, and credible threats to force compliance from holdouts like Delcy and Jorge.
