The Monocle Daily The international reaction to the US’s attacks on Venezuela
Jan 5, 2026
Nina Dos Santos, an international broadcast correspondent and former CNN Europe editor, joins Michael Bunyan, a foreign affairs specialist, to dissect the international response to the US's actions against Venezuela. They delve into the legal debates surrounding the operation and explore US motives, including economic interests linked to the petrodollar. The conversation also touches on Maduro's media strategy, Cuba's influence, and potential regional fallout. They shift gears to discuss Ukraine's diplomatic sphere and the ripple effects on global politics.
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Media Restraint Without Formal Censorship
- Major US news outlets can withhold sensitive operational details despite a permissive press culture, relying on sources and voluntary restraint.
- Michael Bunyan notes informal self-restraint by outlets when national security is at stake.
Portugal's Venezuelan Diaspora Link
- Nina dos Santos described personal ties between Portugal and Venezuela through diaspora communities.
- She recounted how Portuguese emigrants lived and worked in Venezuela before returning due to hyperinflation.
'Bloodless' Narrative Misleading
- The operation to remove Maduro involved fighting and casualties, contrary to initial "bloodless" reports.
- Michael Bunyan stresses the scale of coordination and inevitability of some deaths in such raids.
