Thursday, January 15, 2026 – What America’s bold actions in Venezuela could mean for the country’s Indigenous peoples

The U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has prompted questions about what comes next. No one is more concerned about the answer to that question than Venezuela’s Wayúu people and the other Indigenous tribes that make up as much as 3% of the population. They are no fans of Maduro, enduring the same oppressive tactics as other residents, contributing to disproportionate socio-economic hurdles. They are also suffering at the hands of both legal and illegal mining operations. What will President Donald Trump’s stated interests in gas and mineral development mean going forward?

GUESTS

Alicia Moncada (Wayúu), director of advocacy and communications for Cultural Survival

Carlos Roa, journalist and editor for IQ Latino and a member and spokesperson with Asociación de Periodistas Venezolanos en el Extranjero / Association of Venezuelan Journalists Abroad (APEVEX)

Alejandro Velasco, professor of Latin American history at New York University

Laura Botero, PhD student at the University of Texas at Austin

 

Break 1 Music: Money Cannot Be Eaten (song) Rosary Spence (artist) Maskawisiwin (album)

Break 2 Music: Vipismal – The Hummingbird Song (song) Earl Ray (artist) Traditional Songs Of The Salt River Pima (album)