KQED's Forum What’s Next For the U.S. in Venezuela After Maduro’s Capture?
Jan 5, 2026
David Sanger, a White House correspondent for The New York Times, and Elizabeth Dickinson, Deputy Director for Latin America at the International Crisis Group, delve into the implications of Nicolás Maduro's capture. They discuss the U.S. characterization of the operation as a 'coercive occupation' and the contrasting lack of a long-term governance strategy for Venezuela. Dickinson highlights the enduring Chavismo regime, while Sanger examines the complex geopolitical landscape, including China's role and the multifaceted narratives from the White House.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Coercive Occupation, Not Classic Invasion
- The U.S. action looked like a coercive or 'virtual' occupation rather than a full invasion.
- David Sanger warns the U.S. left Maduro's apparatus intact and must coerce it to follow Washington's rules.
Toppling Leaders Doesn't Rebuild Institutions
- Removing one leader rarely unravels the wider regime without reshaping institutions.
- David Sanger compares this to Iraq's failed de‑Ba'athification and cautions about messy long-term outcomes.
Chavismo's Durable Power Networks
- Chavismo persists through patronage, corruption, and brutal punishment of dissent.
- Elizabeth Dickinson says that resilience creates a coup‑proof system hard to dismantle by removing a single leader.
