How And Why Narco-Terrorist Maduro Was Captured & Arrested in Venezuela!

Welcome, everyone, to a special Cops and Writers Podcast. Due to the nature and timing of our topic today, I released this episode early. Back in late October, retired DEA Agents (legends) Steve Murphy, Wes Tabor, and Chris Feistl predicted on the Cops and Writers Podcast episodes 250 and 251, that the U.S. would take the fight to Maduro and attack on land. On January 3, 2026, the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a military operation in Caracas, Venezuela.

I have heard so many opinions on this from ‘experts’, I'm using air quotes, living in social media-fueled echo chambers, and I wanted to get the true story. So I brought back my experts in narco-terrorism, drug cartels, and international drug smuggling, Steve, Wes, and Chris. 

Here’s an intro to my experts for today’s show.

Retired DEA Special Agent Wes Tabor (episodes 235,236, & 237). Wes was embedded in Venezuela, battling the drug cartel and gangs for three years. He had a front-row seat to the prospering drug trade and threat to the United States and wrote the book, Infiltrate America: Blood Routes and the Rise of Latin American Gangs. So, of course, I asked him to be on the show again, and he graciously agreed.

Of course, I would be remiss if I were going to be talking about drug cartels and smuggling, not to have two experts who took down some of the most notorious drug cartels and their leaders in modern times. Steve Murphy and Chris Feistl. 

Retired DEA Special Agent Steve Murphy and his partner Javier Pena are best known for taking down the Medellin Cartel and its leader, Pablo Escobar. Steve is an expert in drug smuggling and cartels and is considered an expert in the world of narcoterrorism. Steve and Javier’s work was featured in many television documentaries and was featured in the Netflix special, DEA Narcos.

Retired DEA Special Agent Chris Feistl and his partner Dave Mitchell are best known for taking down the Cali Cartel and its leaders Gilberto and Miguel Rodríguez Orejuela. Chris’s work was featured in many television documentaries and was also featured in season three of the Netflix special DEA Narcos.

After listening to these three experts explain recent operations in Venezuela, I have gained valuable insights into why we arrested Maduro and his wife. I hope this clears things up for you as well. Please enjoy my conversation with these DEA legends and experts.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

·      Back in October, the big talk was about the United States Navy taking out 36 drug boats.

·      Why and what gave us the authority to conduct these operations? 

·      Article 2, section 2, of the United States Constitution gives the current administration the authority to carry out operations in Venezuela.

·      The United States military, most likely Seal Team Six and Delta operators, performed a surgical strike, taking Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, without hurting them. Six of our servicemen were injured, and an aircraft was damaged. All U.S. personnel and equipment made it back to the sea vessels.

·      Is Mexico next?

·      Going back in time and giving us a brief background on what brought us to this point. How did Maduro gain power, and what led to his indictment in 2020?

·      The parallels with Operation Just Cause and the capture and arrest of Manuel Antonio Noriega.

·      What do you predict for the outcome of this arrest? Time in prison, etc.?

·      What’s next for the country of Venezuela?

·      There are many who say this has nothing to do with drugs and is motivated by President Trump going after oil. What do you all say?

·      Our views on socialism.

Visit Steve Murphy's website!

Visit Wes Tabor's Website!

Visit Chris Feistl's Website!

Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel!

Check out my newest book, The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice Series Book 1)!!!!!

Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.

Please visit the Cops and Writers website.

Cops and Writers is a podcast hosted by retired police sergeant and author, Patrick O'Donnell. The podcast provides valuable insights and humor for crime writers who want to create accurate and believable police stories. O'Donnell conducts in-depth interviews with members of law enforcement and civilian experts, discussing police procedures and culture. He also interviews crime fiction writers and writers from different genres, discussing what works in the ever-changing landscape of book sales and publishing. The podcast offers candid stories told with cop humor and technical details about the world of law enforcement.