In this urgent episode of the Silk and Steel podcast, host Carl Zha is joined by Fernando Munoz, a Colombian entrepreneur and political commentator based in China. They dissected the stunning January 3rd event where US Special Forces kidnapped Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Fernando provides an expert, on-the-ground analysis of the real motives behind the operation, the geopolitical implications for Colombia and the region, and the complex roles of China, Russia, and Iran.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to Fernando Munoz
01:00 - Fernando's Background: From Business in China to "Media Without Means"
03:30 - Breaking Down the Venezuela Operation: Why It Was "Too Easy"
09:00 - The Real Motives: Minerals, China, Iran & Russia (Not Oil)
15:00 - Analysis of Acting President Delcy Rodriguez & US Concessions
20:00 - Can China Project Military Power to Defend Venezuela? The Principle of Non-Interference
30:00 - The Cuba Missile Crisis Precedent & The "North Korea Lesson"
33:00 - Internal Divisions: Latin American Elites vs. The People
37:00 - Deep Dive: Colombia's Political Landscape & Upcoming Election
45:00 - Petro's Populist Moves & Why Iván Cepeda is Likely to Win
49:00 - The "Gran Colombia" Idea & US Opposition to Regional Unity
53:00 - How China Gains Influence: Ports, Rails, Education (The Xi'an Subway Example)
01:00:00 - The Petrodollar, De-Dollarization, and US Decline
01:01:30 - The Critical Battle for Digital Sovereignty & Soft Power
