Carlton Cuse addressed a resurfaced scene from Jack Ryan Season 2 that has drawn renewed attention following the U.S. military intervention in Venezuela. The co-creator responded to the viral clip and spoke about the show’s intentions amid growing comparisons to current real-world events.
Carlton Cuse discusses viral Jack Ryan Season 2 clip after Nicolás Maduro’s capture
Following the U.S. military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a 2019 scene from Jack Ryan Season 2 went viral for its apparent parallels to current events.
In the clip, CIA analyst Jack Ryan describes Venezuela as “a major threat on the world stage,” citing its oil and mineral wealth and strategic proximity to the U.S. He states, “Venezuela is arguably the single greatest resource of oil and minerals on the planet,” questioning how such a country faces a humanitarian crisis, with poverty rising “by almost 400%” and the economy cut “by half.”
Carlton Cuse, co-creator and former showrunner of Jack Ryan, reacted to the resurfaced clip. “What always surprises you as a storyteller is how often real-world events catch up to fiction,” he told Deadline. “The goal of that season wasn’t prophecy — it was plausibility.” He said the creative team developed the season’s storyline more than seven years ago to depict Venezuela’s complex geopolitical role rather than to predict specific outcomes.
Cuse explained that he and co-creator Graham Roland selected Venezuela as a backdrop due to its “long-standing strategic relevance.” He emphasized that they “weren’t making a statement — we were telling a fictional character-driven thriller.” The story involved the fictional president being removed after being confronted in the presidential palace, with an election following his ouster.
While the show’s climax involves a helicopter infiltration and regime change, the real-life operation was a U.S. military action. Cuse commented, “Any time the United States uses force abroad, it’s a moment that deserves reflection. The consequences are borne most significantly by people who have very little control over events. I can only hope things move toward stability and peace for the people living there.”
Originally reported by Anubhav Chaudhry on ComingSoon.net.
