The Monocle Daily The international reaction to the US’s attacks on Venezuela
Jan 5, 2026
Nina Dos Santos, an international broadcast correspondent and former CNN Europe editor, joins Michael Bunyan, a foreign affairs specialist, to dissect the international response to the US's actions against Venezuela. They delve into the legal debates surrounding the operation and explore US motives, including economic interests linked to the petrodollar. The conversation also touches on Maduro's media strategy, Cuba's influence, and potential regional fallout. They shift gears to discuss Ukraine's diplomatic sphere and the ripple effects on global politics.
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Legal Framing Shapes Global Response
- The US framed the Maduro operation as removing a "narco-terrorist" rather than an invasion to justify extraterritorial action.
- Antonio Guterres and other states challenged that framing at the UN over international law concerns.
Petrodollar Pressure Behind Moves
- Moving away from the dollar for oil sales is an explicit strategic aim for some states, including Venezuela.
- Nina dos Santos links such shifts to wider challenges against the petrodollar system and past geopolitical consequences.
Media Restraint Without Formal Censorship
- Major US news outlets can withhold sensitive operational details despite a permissive press culture, relying on sources and voluntary restraint.
- Michael Bunyan notes informal self-restraint by outlets when national security is at stake.
