THIS IS REVOLUTION ＞podcast EP. 826: THE ANTI WAR RIGHT GOES TO WAR WITH VENEZUELA
Jan 8, 2026
Ben Burgess, a leftist political writer, joins M. Toussaint and Derek Varn for a deep dive into the recent U.S. operation in Venezuela. They examine how Trump's motives intertwine spectacle with domestic politics, raising questions about the legitimacy of intervention. The panel discusses the implications of U.S. actions on global alliances and the risks of long-term occupation. Additionally, they analyze the shifting power dynamics in Latin America and the potential fallout from U.S. overreach. Thought-provoking insights abound on geopolitics and the future of Venezuela.
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Spectacle Over Real Regime Change
- The Maduro capture was spectacle, not a full regime change, with Venezuela's institutions remaining intact after his removal.
- Jason Myles argues the operation exposed the hollowness of stated goals and prioritized destabilizing performance over strategy.
Ego-Driven Geopolitics
- The operation wasn't about careful geopolitics but ego and performative power, per Jason Myles.
- He frames Trump's actions as spectacle that weakens norms and fuels global instability for political gain.
Oil Isn't A Quick Payoff
- Venezuela's oil is technically valuable but costly and slow to revive, so an immediate economic windfall is unlikely.
- Ben Burgess and M. Toussaint note U.S. majors weren't pressing for invasion, undermining an 'oil grab' claim.