The United States has continued to pressure the Maduro regime with F-18 flyovers, the seizure of oil tankers, and new sanctions on Venezuelan entities associated with the Maduro regime, alongside continued strikes on drug boats. Simultaneously, the Venezuelan opposition has continued gaining momentum. Notably, Maria Carina Machado, the head of the Venezuelan opposition, had a miraculous exit from Venezuela to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway. Former U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela James Story joins Vandenberg Executive Director Carrie Filipetti to discuss these recent updates, what a post-Maduro Venezuela would look like, and more.

Our October 24 episode with Ryan Berg: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/101b0c5e-fe2c-4f84-b5bb-861f9a392aa1/

Democratic Transition Framework for Venezuela: https://2017-2021.state.gov/democratic-transition-framework-for-venezuela/

(1:32) How Did We Get Here in Venezuela?

(3:05) U.S. Interests in Venezuela

(5:09) President Trump’s Decision to Sanction Colombian President Gustavo Petro

(7:54) Striking Drug Boats

(10:42) Seizing Oil Tankers

(13:48) Trump 1.0 vs Trump 2.0 in the Western Hemisphere

(16:07) Venezuela vs. Iraq, Libya, and Afghanistan

(19:47) Establishing the Red Lines for Maduro’s Departure

(23:12) María Corina Machado’s Departure and Return

(26:08) Opportunities for the United States With a Free and Democratic Venezuela

(30:20) Is This Going to Work? If So, When?

You can watch this episode as a video on YouTube.