** NEW MERCH ** Jackets & Sweatshirts, Thermo Mugs!! Daniel Davis Deep Dive Merch: Etsy store https://www.etsy.com/shop/DanielDavisDeepDive?ref=seller-platform-mcnav Danny and Larry argue that the U.S. operation in Venezuela was not a daring assault against active defenses, but a carefully staged action enabled by high-level insiders. According to the discussion, a senior Venezuelan security or intelligence official had long been an asset of a U.S. intelligence agency and helped arrange the operation—ordering air defenses to stand down, ensuring helicopters faced no resistance, and allowing U.S. forces to enter and exit safely despite operating under full moonlight, which would normally be avoided. They emphasize that the absence of anti-aircraft fire and the safe use of vulnerable helicopters strongly indicate internal cooperation rather than U.S. military dominance. The operation is compared to past “set-piece” actions and exercises where intelligence agencies pre-arranged conditions to guarantee success. As a result, the event is characterized as political theater meant to showcase American power and “reestablish deterrence,” rather than proof of superiority over Russian or other air defenses. The speakers also raise ethical and political concerns: insiders who stood down defenses may have indirectly caused the deaths of dozens of Cuban and Venezuelan personnel, yet are protected by their power and incentives (including money). They argue that while the snatch-and-grab succeeded, it did not constitute true regime change, leaves Maduro’s supporters intact, and could backfire legally and politically if a trial exposes classified sources or embarrassing details about U.S. actions.