CNN Inside Politics The Venezuelan Crisis and US Intervention
Jan 4, 2026
Guest
Panel Reporters (Dasha Burns / Sung Min Kim)
Guest
Elliot Abrams
Guest
Cedric Layton
Guest
David Sanger
Guest
Ellie Honig
Join Ellie Honig, a former federal prosecutor and CNN legal analyst, alongside David Sanger, a national security reporter for The New York Times, in a gripping discussion on the stunning arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. They explore the legal ramifications of Operation Absolute Resolve and debate U.S. intentions amid geopolitical tensions. Cedric Layton, a retired Air Force colonel, analyzes military strategies and tactics. Former envoy Elliot Abrams warns against U.S. governance in Venezuela while advocating for democratic support.
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U.S. Frames Capture As Law Enforcement And Control
- The U.S. publicly framed Maduro's capture as both law enforcement and a strategic victory.
- President Trump explicitly said "we're going to run the country," signaling a shift to active U.S. control.
Highly Precise, Large-Scale Military Operation
- The operation struck multiple military and communication nodes around Caracas with surgical precision.
- Retired Colonel Cedric Layton described 150 aircraft and coordinated forces executing a rapid extraction.
Huge Oil Reserves, Broken Infrastructure
- Venezuela holds the largest proven oil reserves but production collapsed due to decayed infrastructure.
- The U.S. interest in oil is strategic, yet Venezuelan output requires major rehabilitation to be profitable.