The writer behind Amazon Prime's hit thriller Jack Ryan has been forced to respond after a scene from the show sparked wild online claims it predicted the real-life downfall of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
A Dramatic Real-World Capture
The speculation erupted following the dramatic events of January 3, 2026. On that date, Venezuela's left-wing leader, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife were captured at their compound in a daring overnight special forces operation. They were subsequently flown to the United States.
The deposed president is now scheduled to appear in Manhattan federal court on Monday to face drugs and weapons charges. In the wake of this extraordinary intervention, sharp-eyed viewers noted what they believed were uncanny parallels in a scene from the final season of Jack Ryan, which aired back in 2023.
The 'Eerie' Fictional Parallel
The series, starring John Krasinski as the eponymous CIA analyst, features a scene set in 2019 where Ryan's character analyses global threats. In it, he explicitly names Venezuela alongside Russia, China, and North Korea as a 'major threat on the world stage'.
Ryan cites the country's vast oil reserves—the largest in the world—and gold deposits exceeding 'all the mines in Africa combined'. He poses a critical question: 'So why is this country in the midst of one of the greatest humanitarian crises in modern history?'
Focusing on a fictional Venezuelan leader, the character details how the economy has been crippled and poverty has risen by 'almost 400%'. He also highlights a strategic military concern, noting Venezuela is 'within 30-minute range from the US of next-gen nuclear missiles'.
'Plausibility, Not Prophecy' Says Creator
As the clip circulated widely online, Jack Ryan co-creator Carlot Cuse moved swiftly to dismiss any notion of clairvoyance. Speaking to Deadline, Cuse—who developed the show with Graham Roland—stated unequivocally: 'The goal of that season wasn't prophecy – it was plausibility.'
'When you ground a story in real geopolitical dynamics, reality has a way of making it rhyme,' he added. Cuse emphasised that he and Roland were not making a political statement but crafting a 'fictional character-driven thriller rooted in Venezuela’s long-standing strategic relevance'. 'Our job was to make the situation feel credible,' he concluded.
Following the capture, US President Donald Trump vowed to 'run the country' until a proper transition of power is established. He also promised that US oil companies would move in to exploit Venezuela's resources and warned that a second military attack would be staged if necessary.
Jack Ryan remains available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
