Maria-view mirror: asking Venezuelans what they want now - The Economist Podcasts Recap

Podcast: The Economist Podcasts

Published: 2026-01-15

Duration: 21 minutes

Guests: Kinley Salmon

Summary

Venezuelans are optimistic about political and economic change following the U.S. raid on Maduro, though opinions differ on American governance and future leadership.

What Happened

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado met with President Donald Trump amid a backdrop of political upheaval in Venezuela. Machado, who had been barred from running in the 2024 presidential election, supports a democratic transition, while Trump has backed Dulcie Rodriguez, Maduro's interim successor.

Exclusive polling conducted with 600 Venezuelans reveals a strong sense of optimism about the future following the U.S. raid on Maduro. Four in five respondents believe the political situation will improve within a year, and a similar number expect their personal economic situation to get better.

Despite the optimism, opinions are divided on whether America should govern Venezuela temporarily. Nearly half of those polled are open to some form of U.S. governance, though there is significant debate over who should control the oil industry.

Venezuelans largely oppose Dulcie Rodriguez continuing Maduro's term, with only 10% supporting her leadership until 2031. The majority favor new elections within a year, despite Trump's preference for a slower transition.

Machado's meeting with Trump is critical as she seeks to build a rapport with him and cast doubt on Rodriguez's reliability. Machado is expected to highlight her capability to manage Venezuela's energy resources more effectively than the current regime.

The episode also touches on childhood in the age of AI, highlighting the potential for personalized, yet possibly isolating, upbringing. AI is being increasingly integrated into education, particularly in countries like China where human tutors have been restricted.

The episode concludes with a cultural exploration of bagels on America's National Bagel Day, tracing their history from Jewish ghettos to mainstream popularity worldwide.

Key Insights

• Polling of 600 Venezuelans indicates that 80% believe the political situation will improve within a year following the U.S. raid on Maduro, and a similar percentage expect their personal economic situation to get better.
• Nearly half of Venezuelans polled are open to some form of temporary U.S. governance, although there is significant debate over who should control the country's oil industry.
• Only 10% of Venezuelans support Dulcie Rodriguez continuing Maduro's term until 2031, with the majority favoring new elections within a year, despite preferences for a slower transition from Donald Trump.
• AI is increasingly integrated into education, particularly in China, where human tutors face restrictions, raising concerns about personalized yet potentially isolating childhoods in the age of AI.