# Trump’s Brazen Power Politics in Venezuela

- Link: https://instituteforglobalaffairs.org/2026/01/trumps-brazen-power-politics-in-venezuela/
- Published: 2026-01-21T12:35:29-05:00

### Alejandro Velasco on Maduro’s capture and the triumph of power over ideology

On January 3rd, 2026, the United States seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro—
and shocked the world. The Trump administration has made no bones about its intent
to dominate the Western Hemisphere, and the raid was a brazen show of force. But
with the same regime still in place, it is unclear what exactly will change in Venezuela.

In this episode, the [Institute for Global Affairs](https://instituteforglobalaffairs.org/)’
Jonathan Guyer is joined by Alejandro Velasco, a historian and professor at New 
York University, to discuss the recent invention. Amid claims about drug trafficking
and oil, they analyze what might really be behind Trump’s actions. They also touch
on the legacy of Hugo Chavez, Venezuela’s economic crisis, and what the broader 
implications of Trump’s aggressive posturing might be for the region and the world.

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**Alejandro Velasco** is an associate dean of faculty and professor of history at
New York University. He is an expert on modern Latin America, social movements, 
and urban politics and has contributed analysis and commentary to _The Nation_, 
_The New York Times_, and _The Washington Post_, among others. He is the author 
of _Barrio Rising: Urban Popular Politics and the Making of Modern Venezuela_ (University
of California Press, 2015).

Find Alejandro on X: [https://x.com/AleVelascoNYU](https://x.com/AleVelascoNYU)