The Foreign Desk Explainer 499: Why is Donald Trump ‘running’ Venezuela?
Jan 7, 2026
The discussion dives into Trump's controversial pledge to 'run' Venezuela, questioning his true motives behind the raid on Nicolás Maduro. It examines the implications of a potential tripolar world involving the US, China, and Russia, and the geopolitical fallout for nearby nations. The podcast also explores how Trump's unpredictable decision-making reflects on this operation. Additionally, it analyzes the challenges of Venezuela's oil and the legal justifications for US actions, all while linking it to Trump's past electoral narratives.
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Impulse Over Strategy
- Donald Trump often acts on whim and personal grudges rather than settled strategic reasons.
- Andrew Mueller suggests Trump's Venezuela raid may reflect impulse as much as policy calculation.
Maduro Captured In Night Raid
- Mueller recounts a dramatic raid that captured Nicolás Maduro and placed him in Brooklyn custody.
- He links this event to Trump's long-running fixation on Venezuela and 2020 election conspiracies.
Selective Law Enforcement
- Legal indictments against Maduro exist but motives may be mixed and selective.
- Mueller notes inconsistency given Trump's recent pardon of another convicted drug trafficker.