Amanpour – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Interview with Former Colombian President Ivan Duque
Date: December 4, 2025
Host: Christiane Amanpour, CNN Podcasts
Episode Focus:
Christiane Amanpour interviews former Colombian President Ivan Duque, discussing U.S. military actions targeting Venezuela, the regional response to Nicolas Maduro’s regime, Colombia’s anti-narcotics efforts, and the shifting political landscape in Latin America.

Main Theme

The episode centers on the sharp escalation of U.S. military operations against Venezuela under President Trump, regional reactions to these actions, and the deeper geopolitical and domestic undercurrents affecting Colombia, Venezuela, and Latin America at large. Ivan Duque provides insight into anti-narcotics policies, the case for ousting Maduro, and the dilemmas facing U.S. and regional policy.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. U.S. Military Operations Against Venezuela

• The Trump administration has intensified strikes on drug trafficking targets, with specific focus on Venezuela and its leader, Nicolas Maduro.
• The U.S. now has more military resources in the region than at any point since the Cuban Missile Crisis ([01:13]–[02:21]).
• Quote:

  “The US has now deployed more military resources and forces in the region than at any time since the Cuban Missile crisis.”
  — Christiane Amanpour ([01:41])

2. Regional Support and Perceptions

• According to a Bloomberg Atlas poll, 53% in Latin America support U.S. military intervention in Venezuela ([02:24]).
• Duque frames the U.S. campaign as a critical anti-narcotics and anti-terrorism effort, referencing cooperative operations such as the Orion Complaint ([02:51]).
• He justifies support for U.S. actions as necessary deterrence to narco-terrorism, highlighting Venezuelan provision of “safe haven to narco-terrorist organizations” ([03:19]).

3. Colombia’s Role and Changing Policy after Duque

• Duque refers to Colombia’s history of bipartisan cooperation with the U.S. against cartels and criticizes his successor, President Petro, for being more permissive and closer to Maduro ([04:17], [05:35]).
• Quote:

  “We had that kind of a relationship. Today, sadly… because Petro has aligned with Maduro, we don't have that level of support.”
  — Ivan Duque ([04:31])

4. Is it Really About Narco-Terrorism?

• Amanpour questions the narcotics rationale, citing facts: Colombia produces most cocaine, while Venezuela is mainly a transit point, and there’s no Venezuela connection to the fentanyl trade ([05:35]).

• She suggests regional exhaustion with the Maduro regime is the real driver.

• Quote:

  “Colombia…sent 3,000 tons of cocaine to the US…accounts for about 70% of the world's overall cocaine production…there's literally no Venezuela connection to the fentanyl trade…”
  — Christiane Amanpour ([05:51])

• Duque maintains that Venezuela under Maduro is nonetheless central to the problem, pointing to the “Cartel de los Soles” and safe haven for Colombian groups like FARC dissidents ([06:51]).

5. Why Not Regional Action Against Maduro?

• Amanpour presses: Why doesn’t the region act alone, without the U.S.? ([09:09])
• Duque turns to the Inter-American Democratic Charter, saying the region is obligated to defend democracy but acknowledges U.S. power and interest are key and draws parallels between Maduro and Milosevic for human rights abuses ([09:22], [10:37]).
• Quote:

  “Nicolas Maduro is also an equivalent of a Slobodan Milosevic in Latin America—brutal violations of human rights, systematic annihilation of opposers…”
  — Ivan Duque ([10:37])

6. Legal Basis and Criticisms

• Amanpour outlines criticism of the legal basis for the U.S. campaign; Trump claims he doesn’t need Congress for strikes ([11:19]).
• Reference to opposition figure Maria Corinna Machado, who supports intervention and even dedicated her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump ([11:40]–[12:29]).
• Amanpour notes support for intervention is far higher among Venezuelan diaspora (64%) than within Venezuela (34%), probing the complexities of internal versus external opinion ([12:40]).

7. Migration and Human Rights Crisis

• Duque emphasizes the migratory catastrophe, over 7 million Venezuelans fleeing, and widespread human rights abuses ([13:13]).
• Suggests any operation should enable a unity government and democratic transition for Venezuela ([13:13]–[15:15]).

8. Historical Parallels and Cautionary Tales

• Amanpour brings up the Iraq War as a cautionary tale for U.S.-led intervention ([15:15]).
• Duque acknowledges differences, argues U.S. has learned lessons, and foresees a non-occupation transition for Venezuela ([15:56]).
• Quote:

  “I don't think the US is thinking in Venezuela as an occupation operation as it did in the case of Iraq. I think there is a great room to create a unity government…”
  — Ivan Duque ([16:37])

9. U.S. Double Standards

• Amanpour critiques apparent contradictions: Trump pardoning Honduran ex-president convicted for drug trafficking, while ramping up drug war rhetoric against Maduro ([17:23]–[18:13]).
• Duque calls for fighting all cartels equally and hopes for more transparency on the pardon ([18:22]).
• Quote:

  “I just believe that it is a duty at this moment to keep on fighting the cartels, fight the Soles cartel, denounce Maduro, because I think that's the most important objective…”
  — Ivan Duque ([19:35])

10. The Political Tide in Latin America

• Amanpour observes a conservative swing in Latin American politics, but points out the U.S. has historically intervened to install, not topple dictators ([20:11]).
• Duque champions democratic norms and “pedagogues not demagogues”—arguing a rejection of populism and polarization in favor of technocratic governance ([20:39]–[21:56]).
• Quote:

  “People now prefer no more demagogues, but more pedagogues…”
  — Ivan Duque ([21:31])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On U.S. military escalation:
  “The US has now deployed more military resources…than at any time since the Cuban Missile crisis.”
  — Christiane Amanpour ([01:41])
• On Colombia–U.S. anti-cartel operations:
  “We, we started a plan that was called the Orion Complaint…Colombia participated actively with the US and 18 more countries…
  — Ivan Duque ([02:54])
• On regional hypocrisy:
  “Colombia… accounts for about 70% of the world’s overall cocaine production…96% of fentanyl seized by the United States is intercepted on the Mexico border.”
  — Christiane Amanpour ([05:51])
• On Maduro as the region’s Milosevic:
  “Nicolas Maduro is also an equivalent of a Slobodan Milosevic in Latin America…”
  — Ivan Duque ([10:37])
• On U.S. lessons from Iraq:
  “I think the United States has learned lessons from occupation operations and I don't think they're planning to do an occupation operation in the case of Venezuela.”
  — Ivan Duque ([15:56])
• On policy consistency:
  “It is a duty at this moment to keep on fighting the cartels, fight the Soles cartel, announce Maduro, because I think that's the most important objective…”
  — Ivan Duque ([19:35])
• On the new political climate:
  “People now prefer no more demagogues, but more pedagogues…”
  — Ivan Duque ([21:31])

Important Timestamps

• Opening Discussion & Framing of U.S.–Venezuela Standoff:
  [01:13]–[02:21]

• Duque Endorses U.S. Anti-Narcotics Operations:
  [02:51]–[03:55]

• Amanpour Questions Cocaine/Fentanyl Narrative:
  [05:35]–[06:51]

• Debate Over True Motives: Narco-Terrorism vs. Regime Change:
  [05:35]–[08:29]

• Regional Responsibility & the Case Against Maduro:
  [09:09]–[11:19]

• Legal Justifications and U.S. Criticisms:
  [11:19]–[11:59]

• Diaspora vs. Homeland Opinions on Intervention:
  [12:40]–[13:13]

• Reflections on Iraq and the Prospect of Occupation:
  [15:15]–[16:33]

• U.S. Policy Contradictions & Pardoning Honduran President:
  [17:23]–[19:35]

• Latin America’s Political Shift and Democratic Values:
  [20:11]–[21:56]

Episode Tone and Language

• Direct and Forthright:
  Amanpour presses for honesty — “Can we just please discuss honestly what this is really about?” ([05:35]).
• Decisive and Urgent:
  Duque maintains a firm stance on regional security and democracy.
• Nuanced and Critical:
  The conversation does not shy away from double standards, legal ambiguities, and the complexities of regional intervention.

Conclusion

This episode offers a penetrating look at the complexities of U.S. interventionism, Latin America’s narco-politics, and the waiting game by regional and American actors to force regime change in Venezuela. Ivan Duque defends the need for decisive regional action, denounces Maduro as more than just a dictator but the region’s chief narco-terrorist, and insists on the importance of technocratic, law-bound governance. Amanpour’s probing questions and cold facts add nuance, pressing against selective political narratives and placing today’s maneuvers within a longer history of intervention and its consequences.