The Grant Williams Podcast The Hundred Year Pivot Ep. 11 – Brian Winter
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Jan 15, 2026 
Brian Winter, editor-in-chief of Americas Quarterly and a seasoned journalist on Latin American politics, joins to discuss the shifting political landscape in Venezuela. He offers insights into Maduro's recent extraction, the complexities of Venezuelan power dynamics, and the rightward shift across Latin America. Winter explains how organized crime and economic collapse drive conservative gains, and he warns of potential security and civil liberty trade-offs. He also highlights key future flashpoints, including Colombia and Mexico, as critical areas to watch.
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Writing With Pelé And Presidents
- Brian ghostwrote books for Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Álvaro Uribe, and Pelé, earning trust slowly.
- He found Pelé emotionally intelligent and deeply religious, committed to making people happy.
Use Humility And Local Sources
- Practice humility and acknowledge what you don't know when assessing fast-moving crises.
- Seek reliable on-the-ground contacts because journalists face severe reporting limits in Venezuela.
Personnel Reveal Hemisphere Focus
- This White House focuses on Latin America far more than recent administrations and staffs reflect that priority.
- Personnel choices signal a deliberate hemispheric push in policy and operations.
