The Americas Quarterly Podcast After Maduro: Risks in Venezuela and Beyond
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Jan 8, 2026 Andrés Martínez-Fernández, a Senior Policy Analyst at the Heritage Foundation, dives into the implications of Nicolás Maduro's arrest in Venezuela. He discusses how this pivotal moment could spark change while Delcy Rodríguez's potential to lead the Chavista regime is assessed. Martínez-Fernández outlines U.S. leverage strategies against the regime and emphasizes the importance of urgent action from the Venezuelan opposition. He also highlights broader regional impacts, including challenges in Colombia and Cuba, while warning of Chavista stalling tactics.
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Maduro's Capture Upsets The Status Quo
- The capture of Nicolás Maduro upended a long-standing status quo and created a new opening for Venezuela's transition.
- Andrés Martínez-Fernández argues this change increases the chance for security, stability, and prosperity but won't fix Venezuela overnight.
Delcy Rodriguez's Limited Capacity
- Delcy Rodríguez can make limited progress if pressured but lacks capacity for full transformation.
- The key question is how quickly external and internal forces can create an irreversible sustainable transition.
Condition Actions On Ending Criminal Links
- Demand the cessation of narco-trafficking, weaponized migration, and ties to adversaries as non-negotiable conditions.
- Push for halting repression and restoring democratic processes to enable economic reactivation.