The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: David Rutherford Show: How Venezuela Became a Launchpad for America’s Enemies

Date: January 12, 2026
Guest: Rick de la Torre (CEO of Tower Strategy, former CIA Chief of Station in Venezuela)
Host: David Rutherford

Overview

This episode examines how Venezuela evolved into a hub for America’s geopolitical adversaries, with deep dives into the historical and operational ties between Venezuela, Cuba, Russia, Iran, and China. Host David Rutherford interviews Rick de la Torre, who provides an insider’s account of intelligence operations, the socialist export model in Latin America, and the future regional outlook. The conversation is sharp, informed, and laced with first-hand anecdotes, offering rare clarity on the intersection of espionage, ideology, and geopolitics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Cuban Intelligence and Maduro’s Inner Circle

• Cuban Bodyguards in Venezuela
  • Maduro’s core security detail included over 30 Cuban intelligence officers, not mere contractors but actual Cuban operatives.
  • Quote:
    • "One of the things the Cuban intelligence apparatus does in exchange for all the free oil from Venezuela is provide them with the security they need so the regime can stay in power." — Rick de la Torre [03:22]
  • The regime has consistently denied this, but direct evidence counters official denials.

Historical Context: Cuba’s Revolutionary Influence and Soviet Ties

• Cuba’s Communist Export Model

  • Post-1959, Cuba prioritized converting neighboring Latin American nations to communism with Soviet support.
  • Soviet attempts were often unsuccessful until Castro adapted Marxist ideology to local conditions.
  • Quote:
    • "When Fidel Castro came along, he was able to adapt Marxist totalitarian views and actions of the Soviets, and put that Latin American spin on it where it made much more sense." — Rick de la Torre [05:28]

• Transition to Venezuela

  • After the Soviet Union collapsed, Cuba faced economic collapse until Hugo Chavez emerged to provide oil for strategic support.
  • This created a "marriage made in hell"—sustaining both the Cuban and Venezuelan regimes.

Venezuela’s Geopolitical Pivot

• Rise of Chavez and Maduro
  • Chavez’s Cuba-backed ascent and subsequent rule allowed for the export of socialism, not just domestically but across the hemisphere.
  • Maduro used this playbook, consolidating power through state control, international support (Cuba, Russia, China, Iran), and by facilitating criminal networks.
  • Quote:
    • "He exported and funded a lot of the ultra left-wing violent movements that we see. And I suspect… we’ll learn about American politicians who perhaps got a little too close to the Maduro regime." — Rick de la Torre [09:53]

External Influence: Russia, China, Iran, and Others

• Exporting Security and Training
  • Cuban expertise in intelligence, espionage, and suppression was exported to other Latin American Marxist groups.
  • Venezuela became a key base for adversarial actors like Russia, Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, FARC, and others.
  • Quote:
    • "Venezuela served as an aircraft carrier where all our adversaries could launch from and export their chaos… under the protective cover of Nicolás Maduro." — Rick de la Torre [22:54]

Shifting Political Tides in Latin America

• Marxist Resurgence and Recent Decline
  • Recent leftist victories in Mexico and Brazil reflect ongoing appeal due to systemic inequality and corruption.
  • However, rising education levels and electoral pushback (Chile, El Salvador, Argentina) are counteracting the Marxist model.
  • Quote:
    • "Recent elections though… we've had a tidal wave of change of now better educated Hispanics… that's through free market capitalism… through rule of law." — Rick de la Torre [19:41]
  • De la Torre suggests we may soon witness the “stamping out the last remnants of a brutal communism in our own hemisphere.” [20:57]

U.S. Policy and Oversight

• Impact of U.S. Attention Shift Post-9/11

  • U.S. focus on the Middle East allowed adversaries to consolidate power in Latin America.
  • Quote:
    • "Our enemies were paying attention. They knew we weren't paying attention to Latin America. That’s when they started to make those investments in places like Venezuela." — Rick de la Torre [22:16]

• U.S. Oil Hegemony and Negotiating Leverage

  • The control of global oil production has shifted, affecting dynamics with China, Russia, and Iran.
  • Quote:
    • "Now, for the first time, the United States controls the majority of all the oil production on this globe. That will change the dynamics in Beijing, Tehran, Moscow… now we have leverage." — Rick de la Torre [29:55]

Intelligence Operations on the Ground

• Operational Environment in Venezuela
  • Intense level of espionage—“palpable” sense of being monitored and targeted by multiple agencies.
  • U.S. foreign policy playbook is well-known and exploited by adversaries.
  • Quote:
    • "Our enemies, they know our playbook. It’s been very standard for the last 50 years… They know us better than we know them." — Rick de la Torre [28:34]

Leadership for the Region: Marco Rubio’s Role

• Why Rubio is Uniquely Qualified
  • Rubio is lauded for his command, memory, and commitment to Latin American affairs.
  • His visibility and personal narrative resonate across the hemisphere, standing as proof of the American opportunity.
  • Quote:
    • "When he was nominated to be Secretary of State, I… felt, finally we've got someone at State in a leadership position that gets it, that knows what's going on there." — Rick de la Torre [32:34]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:22 | Rick de la Torre | "One of the things the Cuban intelligence apparatus does in exchange for all the free oil from Venezuela is provide them with the security they need so the regime can stay in power." | | 05:28 | Rick de la Torre | "When Fidel Castro came along, he was able to adapt Marxist totalitarian views... and put that Latin American spin on it where it made much more sense." | | 09:53 | Rick de la Torre | "He exported and funded a lot of the ultra left-wing violent movements that we see. And I suspect… we’ll learn about American politicians who perhaps got a little too close to the Maduro regime." | | 19:41 | Rick de la Torre | "We've had a tidal wave of change of now better educated Hispanics… that's through free market capitalism… through rule of law." | | 22:16 | Rick de la Torre | "Our enemies were paying attention. They knew we weren't paying attention to Latin America. That’s when they started to make those investments in places like Venezuela." | | 29:55 | Rick de la Torre | "Now, for the first time, the United States controls the majority of all the oil production on this globe… now we have leverage." | | 28:34 | Rick de la Torre | "Our enemies, they know our playbook. It’s been very standard for the last 50 years... They know us better than we know them." | | 32:34 | Rick de la Torre | "When he was nominated to be Secretary of State, I… felt, finally we've got someone at State in a leadership position that gets it, that knows what's going on there." |

Important Segment Timestamps

• [03:15] Cuban bodyguards’ role in Maduro’s security
• [05:28] History of Cuba’s revolutionary exports, Soviet influence
• [09:53] Venezuela as base for exporting leftist movements; speculation about politicians’ ties
• [15:29] Cuba’s export of operational expertise to Latin American Marxist groups
• [18:30] Recent leftist resurgence and its roots in social conditions
• [21:16] U.S. intelligence shifting focus post-9/11, strategic consequences
• [27:16] On-the-ground operational tension in Venezuela
• [29:55] Geopolitical implications of U.S. oil dominance
• [32:34] Assessment of Marco Rubio’s effectiveness in regional affairs
• [34:11] Contact information and current work of Rick de la Torre

Final Reflections

This episode provides a rare window into the practical realities of international power politics, intelligence, and the ideological struggle that has played out across Latin America. Rick de la Torre’s insight as a former CIA chief of station, especially regarding the operational interplay among Cuba, Venezuela, Russia, Iran, and China, is both candid and alarming. The tone is analytical yet urgent, making a strong case for why the U.S. must remain vigilant—and proactive—in its own hemisphere.

Follow Rick de la Torre:

• X (Twitter): @vrk_Rick
• Company: towerstrategydc.com

Key Takeaway:
Venezuela’s recent history serves as a lesson in how quickly an adversary can leverage local instability to become a global threat—and how important informed, engaged leadership and oversight are for U.S. security and hemispheric stability.