Amanpour – US Ramps Up Pressure on Venezuela, Snubs Europe

Podcast: Amanpour (CNN International)
Host: Christiane Amanpour
Date: December 6, 2025

Episode Overview

This week’s episode covers mounting US pressure on Venezuela as President Trump openly considers military strikes, and analyzes the crumbling alliances of Nicolas Maduro across Latin America. Christiane Amanpour interviews Colombia’s former president Ivan Duque, probing regional support for intervention. The episode also discusses the US Secretary of State skipping a pivotal NATO summit amidst stalled Russia-Ukraine peace talks, with analysis from former US ambassador to NATO, Julianne Smith. Other segments include on-the-ground reporting from Hezbollah tunnels in Lebanon, reflections on the modern staging of Oedipus on Broadway, rebellious nuns defying convent bans, and a remembrance of playwright Tom Stoppard.

Key Discussions and Insights

1. US Pressure on Venezuela and Regional Realignment

Guest: Ivan Duque, former President of Colombia

[01:34–11:03]

• Maduro Losing Support:
  Amanpour opens by highlighting the significant political shift in Latin America. Recent elections in Honduras and St. Vincent & the Grenadines ousted Maduro’s allies, isolating the Venezuelan dictator.

  "The Venezuelan dictator seems to be losing friends and influence as President Trump ... warned strikes on that country will begin, quote, soon..." – Christiane Amanpour [01:34]

• Trump’s Rhetoric and Regional Tensions:
  President Trump signals readiness for military strikes not just in Venezuela but potentially in Colombia, citing narcotics as justification.

  "We're going to start doing those strikes on land, too. You know, the land is much easier." – Ivan Duque, quoting Trump [01:57]

• Colombian Perspective:
  Duque supports a US-led "comprehensive interdiction campaign" and advocates for regime change in Venezuela, citing past bipartisan anti-narcotic collaborations between Colombia and the US.

  "I think this is a very important and decisive operation that needs to be seen as ... comprehensive." – Ivan Duque [03:05]
  Duque criticizes his successor, President Petro, for aligning with Maduro: "If not, I think it will only make Colombia an accomplice of the Maduro structure, which I think is a reckless behavior from President Petro." – Ivan Duque [04:32]

• Diverging Opinions Within Venezuela:
  Amanpour points to a Bloomberg poll: only 34% of Venezuelans support US intervention, while diaspora support is far higher at 64%.

  "So there's clearly a lot of agita outside and ... less than half the people support it from the inside." – Christiane Amanpour [05:09]

• Comparisons to US Interventions Elsewhere:
  Duque draws parallels between Maduro and former dictators like Milosevic, arguing for robust US action. When challenged about Iraq, he claims lessons have been learned and sees Venezuela as a case for targeted rather than occupation-style intervention.

  "I don't think the US is thinking in Venezuela as an occupation operation as it did in the case of Iraq." – Ivan Duque [07:31]

• On US Double Standards:
  Amanpour questions Trump’s controversial pardon of former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernandez, convicted for drug trafficking.

  "He had been sentenced to 45 years ... for taking bribes ... and he's now being pardoned. Can you make head or tails of that?" – Christiane Amanpour [08:45]
  "I just hope there can be a farther explanation from the legal adviser in the White House ..." – Ivan Duque [09:09]

• Shift Toward Conservative Governments:
  Discussion on ideological shifts in Latin America, with Duque arguing voters are now seeking technocratic, non-populist leadership:

  "People now prefer no more demagogues, but more pedagogues ..." – Ivan Duque [10:25]

2. US Absence at NATO Amid Russia-Ukraine Stalemate

Guest: Julianne Smith, former US Ambassador to NATO

[12:22–20:03]

• US Skips NATO Summit:
  For the first time since 1999, the US Secretary of State (Marco Rubio) skips a NATO foreign ministers meeting as peace talks with Russia stall.

  "Rubio opted not to join the foreign ministers meeting. Instead, he sent his deputy. This is extraordinarily uncommon..." – Julianne Smith [13:23]

• Putin’s Posturing:
  In response to recent Russia-NATO tensions, Putin claims:

  "We're not planning to go to war with Europe ... But if Europe suddenly wants to go to war with us ... we're ready right now." – Vladimir Putin (quoted by Ben Wiedemann) [14:25]
  Smith reads this as a "thinly veiled threat" and warns of classic Russian tactics aimed at undermining NATO unity.

• NATO Preparedness and US Role:
  Smith asserts that NATO is capable of defending its territory, but European military capabilities remain reliant on US involvement:

  "The alliance is still very much a transatlantic alliance, a project where America and Europe and Canada can come together to defend NATO territory." – Julianne Smith [16:12]

• Failed Peace Negotiations:
  Trump’s team, led by Kushner and Steve Wyckoff, repeatedly travels to Moscow without breakthrough, enduring symbolic snubs like hours-long waits.

  "Putin is playing for time ... at the end of the day, we don't see evidence that he's really ready to make any concessions." – Julianne Smith [18:15]
  Smith argues that Trump's negotiators lack experience: "This is serious business, and you need people who are familiar with the classic Russian plays, like leaving people to wait for many hours at the table." – Julianne Smith [19:58]

3. Lebanon: Hezbollah Tunnels and Regional Tensions

Report: Ben Wiedemann

[20:55–25:03]

• Inside Hezbollah Tunnels:
  Ben Wiedemann tours Hezbollah tunnels in South Lebanon, now under Lebanese army control due to a year-old ceasefire.

  • 74 tunnels discovered
  • Seizures of weapons and troop reinforcements south of the Litani River
  • Evidence of kitchens, field hospitals, and extensive infrastructure

• Continued Strikes and Pressure:
  Israeli strikes on Hezbollah targets persist as US pressure mounts for Hezbollah’s disarmament by year’s end.

  "What matters is that Lebanon is under intense pressure from the United States to disarm Hezbollah before the end of this year. If it does not ... Israel will start the war all over again." – Ben Wiedemann [24:27]

4. Oedipus on Broadway: Revisiting Ancient Tragedy

Guests: Lesley Manville & Mark Strong (Actors)

[25:41–32:07]

• Modern Political Parallels:
  The Robert Icke adaptation reframes the play as a contemporary political thriller—Oedipus is a landslide election winner.

  "Rob Icke ... makes the point that when this play was done originally, two and a half Thousand years ago, it would have been contemporary." – Mark Strong [26:48]

• The Core Love Story:
  The play’s emotional impact stems from the deep genuine relationship between Oedipus and Jocasta, with the audience sympathizing even as the tragic reality emerges.

  "There is a very strong love story in its core and it works because you want them to be together and they can't help themselves at the end." – Mark Strong [28:19]

• Truth and Consequence:
  The play explores themes of truth-seeking and its destructiveness, resonating with modern audiences’ relationships to fact and self-destruction.

  "It's been the downfall ... this man's need and search for the truth actually destroys everything that they have." – Christiane Amanpour [30:35]

  Memorable exchange:

  "Truth is a mother. XX." – Christiane Amanpour (referencing show merch) [30:27]
  "That says a lot about you." – Lesley Manville [30:29]

5. Nuns, Technology, and Mutiny

[32:41–34:47]

• Modern and Historic Monastic Rebellions:
  Amanpour contrasts present-day Austrian nuns rebelling to keep social media, with her 1988 reporting on New Jersey Carmelites who barricaded themselves demanding traditional, tech-free living.

  Audio highlights:

  "We locked ourselves in the infirmary for fear that we would be physically ejected." – New Jersey nun (archival) [33:47]

  "The devil is at work and we have to combat it." – Parishioner (archival) [34:22]

6. Tribute: Tom Stoppard Remembered

[36:00–38:07]

• Life, History, and Gratitude:
  Amanpour pays tribute to Stoppard, discussing his reticence to dwell on his hidden Jewish heritage and gratitude to his mother’s protective choices.

  "She'd got us to sanctuary ... we were being brought up happy and healthy ... she saved us." – Tom Stoppard (archival) [37:39]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On US Strategy in Venezuela:
  "If Maduro keeps staying in power, what we're going to see is more migration, more narco trafficking, and more protection of terrorists in his soil. So it's not good for the hemisphere..." – Ivan Duque [07:31]
• On Russian Threats:
  "It seemed to be a very thinly veiled threat that Russia ... possibly willing to try and touch NATO territory." – Julianne Smith [14:43]
• On the Power of Ancient Drama:
  "You literally are just pulled forward into your seat and you just want to find out what happens..." – Christiane Amanpour [31:35]
• On Technology and Tradition in Religious Life:
  "The devil is at work and we have to combat it." – Parishioner, on New Jersey nuns' protest [34:22]
• On Family, Secrecy, and Survival:
  "She'd got us to sanctuary ... she saved us. So she was entitled." – Tom Stoppard [37:39]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:34–11:03] – Duque on Venezuela, Colombia, US policy, intervention
• [12:22–20:03] – Julianne Smith on NATO, Russia, stalled peace talks
• [20:55–25:03] – Ben Wiedemann's report from Hezbollah tunnels, Lebanon
• [25:41–32:07] – Broadway Oedipus conversation with Manville & Strong
• [32:41–34:47] – Nuns: Old and New, Technology and Rebellion
• [36:00–38:07] – Tom Stoppard tribute

Tone and Style

The episode maintains Amanpour’s signature blend of incisive, worldly questioning, combative yet respectful dialogue with controversial figures, and a globalist’s sweep of troubling and artful stories. The show’s language ranges from precise diplomatic analysis to the drama of live reporting and the introspection of personal legacy.

This summary captures the episode’s urgent political stakes, pointed debates, human interest vignettes, and its thoughtful memorial to the world of letters.