In a significant geopolitical development, U.S. forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in early January 2026, an event that has sent shockwaves through the South American nation and the international community. While foreign analysts debate the legality and implications, the voices from within Venezuela offer a crucial and often overlooked perspective on this dramatic incursion.
Venezuelan Analysts Provide Ground-Level Insight
Two prominent Venezuelan figures, Emilio Figueredo and Freddy Guevara, recently shared their analysis on the Full Comment podcast with host Brian Lilley, recorded on January 8, 2026. Their firsthand accounts challenge many Western narratives about the operation and its reception.
Figueredo, the editor of the independent Venezuelan news outlet Analitica, spoke from Caracas. He detailed the current atmosphere in the country and provided critical context behind Maduro's downfall. A key factor, according to Figueredo, was the regime's over-reliance on support from Cuba, which ultimately left it vulnerable.
He also presented a nuanced view of U.S. strategy, suggesting that President Donald Trump's decision to leave the existing Bolivarian regime structure in place—for the time being—was a calculated move. This approach, while perhaps frustrating for those hoping for an immediate clean sweep, is seen by some as a pragmatic step to manage a complex transition.
Opposition Perspective on Legality and Popular Support
Freddy Guevara, an exiled opposition politician who was once imprisoned by Maduro's government, offered a poignant view from the diaspora. He reported that among Venezuelans, there is significant support for the U.S. military operation that led to the dictator's capture.
Guevara addressed the international criticism leveled at Trump for potentially violating international law. From the viewpoint of many Venezuelans who have suffered under years of economic collapse and political repression, these legalistic complaints carry little weight. The primary focus for them is the tangible result: the removal of Maduro from power.
A Cautious Hope for the Future
Both analysts conveyed a powerful sentiment currently flowing through Venezuela: a surge of hope. Figueredo and Guevara described how hopes among the population are higher than they have been in a very long time. The capture of Maduro represents a pivotal, unprecedented moment after years of crisis.
However, they were careful to temper this optimism with realism. Both men emphasized that true freedom has not yet fully arrived. The path forward remains uncertain, filled with political and logistical challenges. The event, marked by celebrations like those seen among Venezuelans living in Colombia on January 3, 2026, is a beginning, not an end.
The insights from Figueredo and Guevara underscore a critical point: the lived experience and political desires of Venezuelans themselves are essential to understanding the true impact of this historic operation, beyond the debates taking place in foreign capitals and international bodies.
