1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:02,440 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Truth with Lisa Booth, where we get 2 00:00:02,480 --> 00:00:05,560 Speaker 1: to the heart of the issues that mattered to you. Today, 3 00:00:05,600 --> 00:00:09,080 Speaker 1: we're talking about this stunning turn of events, US forces 4 00:00:09,119 --> 00:00:13,920 Speaker 1: capturing Venezuelan leader Nicholas Maduro, bringing him to the United 5 00:00:14,000 --> 00:00:18,120 Speaker 1: States to New York to face narco terrorism charges. We're 6 00:00:18,120 --> 00:00:20,520 Speaker 1: going to have Daniel d Martino on the show. We've 7 00:00:20,520 --> 00:00:23,159 Speaker 1: had him on previously. He was very interesting. He's a 8 00:00:23,200 --> 00:00:26,800 Speaker 1: Venezuelan American economists and a fellow at the Manhattan Institute. 9 00:00:26,840 --> 00:00:29,240 Speaker 1: So we're going to talk about what this means for 10 00:00:29,280 --> 00:00:33,960 Speaker 1: the United States, It's impact on oil, on energy, and 11 00:00:34,080 --> 00:00:37,120 Speaker 1: also the impact and the blow it will have to 12 00:00:37,159 --> 00:00:40,960 Speaker 1: our adversaries like Russia, Aaron in China. So we're going 13 00:00:41,000 --> 00:00:42,640 Speaker 1: to dig it into all of it. What do you 14 00:00:42,680 --> 00:00:45,479 Speaker 1: need to know? Why should you care? Why does this 15 00:00:45,560 --> 00:00:54,920 Speaker 1: matter to you? Stay tuned for Daniel de Martino. Well, Daniel, 16 00:00:54,920 --> 00:00:57,160 Speaker 1: it's great to have you back on the show. You 17 00:00:57,200 --> 00:00:59,560 Speaker 1: were so interesting last time, so when I saw the 18 00:00:59,600 --> 00:01:02,279 Speaker 1: news of Madureau's arrest, wanted to have you back on. 19 00:01:02,440 --> 00:01:04,720 Speaker 1: So appreciate you making the time. I know you're busy 20 00:01:04,840 --> 00:01:07,520 Speaker 1: right now. I see you making the rounds in the media, 21 00:01:07,640 --> 00:01:09,240 Speaker 1: so appreciate you for making the time for us. 22 00:01:09,280 --> 00:01:11,040 Speaker 2: Of course, this is a very important moment. 23 00:01:11,840 --> 00:01:15,760 Speaker 1: You know, as somebody who has fled Venezuela, what was 24 00:01:15,800 --> 00:01:19,440 Speaker 1: it like to see the news that Maduro had been arrested. 25 00:01:20,000 --> 00:01:24,119 Speaker 2: Honestly, it was so glorious, Lisa, It was first unbelievable 26 00:01:24,760 --> 00:01:27,280 Speaker 2: because it is something that you would have expected for 27 00:01:27,319 --> 00:01:30,120 Speaker 2: a long time and never thought what happened. I have 28 00:01:30,240 --> 00:01:32,600 Speaker 2: the cover of the New York Post from yesterday that 29 00:01:32,640 --> 00:01:36,360 Speaker 2: I'm keeping as a souvenir that' says captured. I'm the 30 00:01:36,400 --> 00:01:40,040 Speaker 2: picture that Trump posted of Maduro with a water bottle 31 00:01:40,200 --> 00:01:43,920 Speaker 2: ice covered, and that is really amazing because this is 32 00:01:44,000 --> 00:01:49,040 Speaker 2: such an evil man that Trump just got him to 33 00:01:49,040 --> 00:01:53,720 Speaker 2: bring him to justice. That is such a glorious, beautiful thing, 34 00:01:53,760 --> 00:01:56,200 Speaker 2: and I'm so grateful to the President for it. 35 00:01:56,400 --> 00:01:59,680 Speaker 1: You know, if people say, wonder if this is and 36 00:02:00,080 --> 00:02:05,240 Speaker 1: the United States interests, you should we be meddling in Venezuela. 37 00:02:04,680 --> 00:02:07,120 Speaker 2: What would you say to that? Well, what I would 38 00:02:07,160 --> 00:02:10,240 Speaker 2: say is the most important thing here is was in 39 00:02:10,280 --> 00:02:12,960 Speaker 2: the United States interest? And what is in the United 40 00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:16,200 Speaker 2: States interest? It's lower gas prices. In US interest is 41 00:02:16,320 --> 00:02:20,040 Speaker 2: reducing drug trafficking, in US interests, is reducing illegal immigration 42 00:02:20,120 --> 00:02:23,800 Speaker 2: in US interest, is reducing the regate of elections in 43 00:02:23,840 --> 00:02:27,120 Speaker 2: foreign countries by the major regime, by China, by Russia, 44 00:02:27,160 --> 00:02:31,360 Speaker 2: and US interest These all sound like very good and 45 00:02:31,440 --> 00:02:35,600 Speaker 2: important foreign policy goals that all come from the same source, 46 00:02:35,639 --> 00:02:39,120 Speaker 2: which is the majoral regime. And if the Trump administration 47 00:02:39,600 --> 00:02:42,560 Speaker 2: not only bring to justice Maduro, which is a good 48 00:02:42,560 --> 00:02:45,200 Speaker 2: thing on its own for implementing the rule of law, 49 00:02:45,720 --> 00:02:49,560 Speaker 2: but can make Venezuela free country again by this intervention 50 00:02:49,720 --> 00:02:52,600 Speaker 2: that's very targeted, then that will be the greatest foreign 51 00:02:52,600 --> 00:02:55,000 Speaker 2: policy achievement since the end of the Cold War, and 52 00:02:55,080 --> 00:02:56,160 Speaker 2: it will be Trump who did it. 53 00:02:56,480 --> 00:03:00,560 Speaker 1: Do you think there will be potential backlash and Thevenezuela 54 00:03:00,760 --> 00:03:04,160 Speaker 1: you know, does he have supporters? What does that look 55 00:03:04,240 --> 00:03:06,880 Speaker 1: like in Venezuela, And does he still have you know, 56 00:03:06,960 --> 00:03:10,800 Speaker 1: loyalist factions within the Venezuela military or or how do 57 00:03:10,840 --> 00:03:12,520 Speaker 1: you sort of playing out so. 58 00:03:13,080 --> 00:03:16,960 Speaker 2: Backlash in a popular support way? Absolutely not. The Venezuelan 59 00:03:17,000 --> 00:03:20,560 Speaker 2: population is thrilled, and you know if they you know, 60 00:03:20,680 --> 00:03:23,480 Speaker 2: I know, people joke about giving the position of every 61 00:03:23,480 --> 00:03:26,640 Speaker 2: position to Marco Rubio and making him governor of Venezuela. 62 00:03:26,800 --> 00:03:29,440 Speaker 2: Or something. But if they put Marco Ruby on the ballot, 63 00:03:29,480 --> 00:03:32,239 Speaker 2: Marco Ruby when the election in a landslide, that's the truth. 64 00:03:32,400 --> 00:03:34,679 Speaker 2: He has very high name recognition, I will say, same 65 00:03:34,720 --> 00:03:37,920 Speaker 2: as Donald Trump, and so the support among the population 66 00:03:38,040 --> 00:03:41,200 Speaker 2: is very high. But it is true that the military, 67 00:03:41,760 --> 00:03:45,960 Speaker 2: not the regular soldiers, but every person above them and 68 00:03:46,000 --> 00:03:48,880 Speaker 2: the Cubans that are embedded in it, they are all 69 00:03:49,160 --> 00:03:52,160 Speaker 2: loyalists because they're all drug traffickers, and the only way 70 00:03:52,200 --> 00:03:55,640 Speaker 2: to get them to leave was through force. They thought 71 00:03:55,840 --> 00:03:59,160 Speaker 2: Trump was bluffing with his threats. They thought he was 72 00:03:59,240 --> 00:04:02,400 Speaker 2: only going to stay this aircraft carrier and these boats 73 00:04:02,400 --> 00:04:06,400 Speaker 2: and these airplanes all to intimidate them to leave. And 74 00:04:06,520 --> 00:04:09,000 Speaker 2: now they learned this weekend that Trump was not playing, 75 00:04:09,160 --> 00:04:12,200 Speaker 2: that he was for real, that MAJORI is the first step, 76 00:04:12,480 --> 00:04:14,600 Speaker 2: and that he already threatened them with a second, more 77 00:04:14,600 --> 00:04:18,320 Speaker 2: powerful attack in case they don't leave and they don't 78 00:04:18,640 --> 00:04:22,040 Speaker 2: do what's right. This is not going to be because 79 00:04:22,040 --> 00:04:24,000 Speaker 2: it would be in vain. And Trump said he this 80 00:04:24,080 --> 00:04:25,640 Speaker 2: is not gonna be in vain. They're going to have 81 00:04:25,680 --> 00:04:28,080 Speaker 2: another thought take over the country in his press conference 82 00:04:28,160 --> 00:04:31,720 Speaker 2: yesterday that what's going to happen here is the US 83 00:04:31,800 --> 00:04:34,279 Speaker 2: is going to be in charge of the transition. That 84 00:04:34,480 --> 00:04:37,680 Speaker 2: really helped, you know, made me feel very good because 85 00:04:37,680 --> 00:04:40,640 Speaker 2: we actually do need the US in charge. People are saying, oh, 86 00:04:40,680 --> 00:04:45,200 Speaker 2: that's imperialism. Whatever. Look, Venezuelan people support this. We want 87 00:04:45,200 --> 00:04:48,040 Speaker 2: the regime ount and we trust Donald Trump and Marco 88 00:04:48,120 --> 00:04:51,000 Speaker 2: Rubia more than Nicholas Majora. So give me a greak. 89 00:04:52,440 --> 00:04:55,840 Speaker 1: So what do you see then, the path forward for 90 00:04:56,120 --> 00:04:58,960 Speaker 1: the future of Venezuelan government, You know, kind of how 91 00:04:59,360 --> 00:05:01,000 Speaker 1: do you see this playing out? 92 00:05:01,360 --> 00:05:04,880 Speaker 2: Well? I see two scenarios now. Before this strike. To 93 00:05:04,920 --> 00:05:06,919 Speaker 2: be honest, I thought nothing was going to happen. I 94 00:05:06,920 --> 00:05:09,320 Speaker 2: thought that was the ninety five percent likelihood. I didn't 95 00:05:09,360 --> 00:05:11,560 Speaker 2: think the strike was coming, in part because I would 96 00:05:11,680 --> 00:05:15,400 Speaker 2: rather be conservative in my expectations and be pleasantly surprised 97 00:05:15,440 --> 00:05:18,479 Speaker 2: like it happened this weekend, and not be disappointed. You know, 98 00:05:18,560 --> 00:05:21,839 Speaker 2: after twenty seven years of regime, I have to emotionally 99 00:05:21,880 --> 00:05:25,480 Speaker 2: protect my brain, and so now I see it as 100 00:05:25,600 --> 00:05:29,320 Speaker 2: over fifty percent chance there's a peaceful and orderly transition 101 00:05:29,440 --> 00:05:32,120 Speaker 2: in the next year, like before this year ends. And 102 00:05:32,600 --> 00:05:35,320 Speaker 2: the rest of the possibility is that the major regime, 103 00:05:35,400 --> 00:05:40,440 Speaker 2: the remnants they do the Trump administration into lengthening the 104 00:05:40,520 --> 00:05:43,520 Speaker 2: transitions so much that Trump is out of office and 105 00:05:43,560 --> 00:05:46,320 Speaker 2: then they stay in power forever. That's the downside risk. 106 00:05:48,080 --> 00:05:50,720 Speaker 1: It sort of walk us through how the loss of 107 00:05:50,800 --> 00:05:55,000 Speaker 1: Maduro as an ally weekends sort of the strategic positions 108 00:05:55,040 --> 00:05:59,359 Speaker 1: of Russia are on and China against Western powers. You know, 109 00:05:59,360 --> 00:06:03,520 Speaker 1: could this lead shifts and international alliances or proxy conflicts elsewhere? 110 00:06:03,880 --> 00:06:05,280 Speaker 1: How do you see all that playing out? 111 00:06:06,360 --> 00:06:09,240 Speaker 2: Yes, so this is important. You know the majority of 112 00:06:09,279 --> 00:06:13,320 Speaker 2: the casualties from this capture that happened this weekend were Cubans. 113 00:06:13,440 --> 00:06:16,640 Speaker 2: They were not Venezuela. And interestingly, right, that's because those 114 00:06:16,640 --> 00:06:20,479 Speaker 2: are the people running the security and intelligence apparatus. There 115 00:06:20,520 --> 00:06:23,719 Speaker 2: are Iranians too that collaborate with terror groups. There are 116 00:06:23,760 --> 00:06:26,520 Speaker 2: the Russians, they are their Chinese. You know. Delsi Rodriguez, 117 00:06:26,560 --> 00:06:29,600 Speaker 2: the vice president, she just got sworn in in all 118 00:06:29,600 --> 00:06:32,640 Speaker 2: these fake ceremonies, because all the positions are fake. In Venezuela, 119 00:06:32,680 --> 00:06:35,520 Speaker 2: they're just a gang, right, But she got sworn in 120 00:06:35,520 --> 00:06:38,880 Speaker 2: as president and guess who she shook hands first with 121 00:06:38,960 --> 00:06:42,680 Speaker 2: this morning? She shoot hangs with the ambassador of China, 122 00:06:42,880 --> 00:06:45,599 Speaker 2: the ambassador of Russia, and the ambassador of Iran. Those 123 00:06:45,640 --> 00:06:49,359 Speaker 2: were the three people. It is not a coincidence. Those 124 00:06:49,400 --> 00:06:53,120 Speaker 2: are the people who finance them. This is part of 125 00:06:53,120 --> 00:06:57,040 Speaker 2: why this is in US interest to support this transition away, 126 00:06:57,279 --> 00:07:01,480 Speaker 2: because this should be our hemisphere. This should be the Chinese, 127 00:07:01,560 --> 00:07:04,000 Speaker 2: the Russia, and the Iranian hemisphere from which they can 128 00:07:04,040 --> 00:07:07,240 Speaker 2: plan attacks, finance terror and so how I see the 129 00:07:07,240 --> 00:07:10,960 Speaker 2: transition happening is trumpas threatened this. They're gonna have a 130 00:07:11,000 --> 00:07:14,280 Speaker 2: few months to organize new elections or give power away, 131 00:07:14,840 --> 00:07:18,040 Speaker 2: and then they're gonna leave with all the money they 132 00:07:18,080 --> 00:07:23,440 Speaker 2: stole without being persecuted. Everybody you know, Delse Whorehead, your Dado, 133 00:07:23,760 --> 00:07:26,840 Speaker 2: Vladimir Padrino, all the key figures in the regime, and 134 00:07:26,880 --> 00:07:28,960 Speaker 2: they're gonna go to another country. Then there's gonna be 135 00:07:28,960 --> 00:07:34,400 Speaker 2: an amnesty for everybody inside the country left, and then 136 00:07:34,480 --> 00:07:38,120 Speaker 2: Venezuela will will gradually return to becoming a normal country 137 00:07:38,120 --> 00:07:41,520 Speaker 2: with private investment. This is part of why Machado is 138 00:07:41,560 --> 00:07:43,760 Speaker 2: so good. Right, she might not have the support of 139 00:07:43,760 --> 00:07:47,000 Speaker 2: the military yet, but she's the only pro American leader 140 00:07:47,320 --> 00:07:48,240 Speaker 2: in Venezuela. 141 00:07:48,320 --> 00:07:51,160 Speaker 1: What does this mean for Russia, who's been a key 142 00:07:51,200 --> 00:07:54,560 Speaker 1: ally to Maduro through military aid, and that restructuring. 143 00:07:56,120 --> 00:07:58,400 Speaker 2: Well, what it means for Russia is that Russia was 144 00:07:58,440 --> 00:08:02,320 Speaker 2: profiting from the illegal oil, same as Iran and China. 145 00:08:02,480 --> 00:08:05,960 Speaker 2: And if Venezuela stops supplying oil to China in Iranian 146 00:08:06,000 --> 00:08:08,960 Speaker 2: and Russian ships, this is a big economic blow for them. 147 00:08:09,120 --> 00:08:12,160 Speaker 2: It's an intelligence blow. Do you think they had Venezuela 148 00:08:12,240 --> 00:08:15,440 Speaker 2: here just for oil now it was an intelligence base. 149 00:08:15,800 --> 00:08:20,360 Speaker 2: They were even building in Ranian drones. That's their goal, right, 150 00:08:20,920 --> 00:08:24,280 Speaker 2: And so if they lose control of Venezuela, America becomes 151 00:08:24,480 --> 00:08:25,440 Speaker 2: much safer. 152 00:08:25,720 --> 00:08:30,480 Speaker 1: Talk about how this affects Venezuela and oil production and exports, 153 00:08:30,720 --> 00:08:33,200 Speaker 1: and what does it mean for the United States energy 154 00:08:33,240 --> 00:08:35,760 Speaker 1: prices and reliance on opak. 155 00:08:36,080 --> 00:08:40,480 Speaker 2: Yes, so, Venezuela, and this is important to note, was 156 00:08:40,559 --> 00:08:42,920 Speaker 2: one of the major oil producers of the world, was 157 00:08:42,960 --> 00:08:45,160 Speaker 2: one of the main sources of oil for the United States. 158 00:08:45,240 --> 00:08:48,679 Speaker 2: The refineries in the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana 159 00:08:49,000 --> 00:08:52,360 Speaker 2: were designed to refine Venezuela and heavy oil, which is 160 00:08:52,360 --> 00:08:54,520 Speaker 2: the heavy oil that we are not producing anymore. By 161 00:08:54,559 --> 00:08:56,680 Speaker 2: the way, we produce very light oil. The Middle East 162 00:08:56,679 --> 00:09:00,959 Speaker 2: produces light oil. Only Canada essentially produces every oil and 163 00:09:01,440 --> 00:09:03,679 Speaker 2: so This is a very good source to diversify or 164 00:09:03,720 --> 00:09:07,000 Speaker 2: oil production from. And if Venezuela could produce just a 165 00:09:07,280 --> 00:09:10,880 Speaker 2: pre travist, pre socialism levels of oil, that would mean 166 00:09:11,320 --> 00:09:14,120 Speaker 2: three more million barrels of oil a day in output. 167 00:09:14,320 --> 00:09:17,400 Speaker 2: It would mean every single American would pay less in gas. Look, 168 00:09:17,440 --> 00:09:19,720 Speaker 2: all the people who criticize the president are warned against 169 00:09:19,720 --> 00:09:23,040 Speaker 2: this intervention, including you know, people like Tocar Carlson were 170 00:09:23,040 --> 00:09:25,280 Speaker 2: saying oil prices are going to shut up if we 171 00:09:25,320 --> 00:09:27,840 Speaker 2: do any kind of thing in Venezuela. Guess what happened 172 00:09:27,880 --> 00:09:31,800 Speaker 2: this morning when all markets opened and after the intervention, 173 00:09:32,120 --> 00:09:36,959 Speaker 2: oil prices went down because the market expects higher oil 174 00:09:37,320 --> 00:09:41,080 Speaker 2: production from Venezuela once it becomes a free country. It's 175 00:09:41,160 --> 00:09:43,760 Speaker 2: barely producing any oil. So and you know on the 176 00:09:43,800 --> 00:09:46,240 Speaker 2: sanctions would be lifted so we could import more of it. 177 00:09:46,480 --> 00:09:49,840 Speaker 2: So this is very good for our energy prospects. 178 00:09:49,920 --> 00:09:52,559 Speaker 1: What's sort of economic opportunities do you think would open 179 00:09:52,720 --> 00:09:56,760 Speaker 1: for American companies in Venezuela And what does that mean 180 00:09:56,800 --> 00:09:59,079 Speaker 1: for both Americans and Venezuelans. 181 00:09:59,679 --> 00:10:03,040 Speaker 2: Yes, so the opportunities are really large. I've read some 182 00:10:03,160 --> 00:10:09,000 Speaker 2: estimates that the investment required to restore the oil industry 183 00:10:09,040 --> 00:10:12,120 Speaker 2: in Venezuela is about ten billion a year for the 184 00:10:12,160 --> 00:10:16,000 Speaker 2: next several years. Venezuela's and its investment in electric sextuoral water. 185 00:10:16,440 --> 00:10:19,160 Speaker 2: There's a lot of real estate investment opportunity that if 186 00:10:19,200 --> 00:10:23,559 Speaker 2: you are somebody who's betting on Venezuela recovering, there's a 187 00:10:23,600 --> 00:10:25,920 Speaker 2: whole lot of cheap real estate right now in Caracas 188 00:10:25,920 --> 00:10:28,280 Speaker 2: and the rest of the country. There's very cheap beach houses. 189 00:10:28,360 --> 00:10:30,120 Speaker 2: Let me tell you you know, you can buy I'm 190 00:10:30,120 --> 00:10:32,600 Speaker 2: not joking. You can buy a beach apartment for less 191 00:10:32,600 --> 00:10:36,760 Speaker 2: than ten thousand dollars, a beachfront apartment. So all of 192 00:10:36,800 --> 00:10:39,199 Speaker 2: that means that a lot of money is going to 193 00:10:39,240 --> 00:10:41,840 Speaker 2: flow into Venezuela, and that's going to be very good 194 00:10:41,840 --> 00:10:44,560 Speaker 2: for the Venezuelan population. Is going to create jobs, raise 195 00:10:44,640 --> 00:10:48,560 Speaker 2: tax revenue and things like the Venezuelan people desperately need. 196 00:10:48,960 --> 00:10:50,400 Speaker 2: And it's going to be a lot of profits to 197 00:10:50,520 --> 00:10:54,120 Speaker 2: Americans because, believe me, when Venezuela's a free country, the Russians, 198 00:10:54,200 --> 00:10:57,000 Speaker 2: the Chinese and all those evil regimes, they're going to 199 00:10:57,040 --> 00:10:59,760 Speaker 2: be shut out of Venezuela. Why because there are two 200 00:10:59,760 --> 00:11:02,920 Speaker 2: blos For what happened to us and we don't want 201 00:11:02,920 --> 00:11:05,680 Speaker 2: them ever again in our country. Quick break, stay with us. 202 00:11:05,760 --> 00:11:07,440 Speaker 1: If you like what you're hearing, please share to social 203 00:11:07,520 --> 00:11:12,840 Speaker 1: media or send it to your family and friends. How 204 00:11:12,920 --> 00:11:17,240 Speaker 1: much of President Trump going after Madua, how much was 205 00:11:17,280 --> 00:11:21,280 Speaker 1: it about the drugs versus you know, oil and obviously 206 00:11:22,040 --> 00:11:26,679 Speaker 1: the strategic advantage of trying to push out Russia, Iran 207 00:11:26,760 --> 00:11:28,880 Speaker 1: in China from the Western hemisphere. 208 00:11:29,200 --> 00:11:31,720 Speaker 2: So I think that what happened in Venezuela and the 209 00:11:31,800 --> 00:11:35,240 Speaker 2: reason this was done in Venezuela, now Venezuela was picked 210 00:11:35,240 --> 00:11:38,920 Speaker 2: over say Cuba, is a confluence of reasons. We mentioned 211 00:11:38,920 --> 00:11:41,800 Speaker 2: the drug traffic, and that's key, but what's also key 212 00:11:41,920 --> 00:11:44,920 Speaker 2: is the oil. You mentioned the true Venezuela Old Cuba doesn't. 213 00:11:45,520 --> 00:11:51,800 Speaker 2: Venezuela is also, you know, an ally of Russia of China, 214 00:11:51,600 --> 00:11:56,160 Speaker 2: similar as Cuba. But then Venezuela also is easier to 215 00:11:56,200 --> 00:11:58,760 Speaker 2: become a free country than Cuba. Venezuela has an active 216 00:11:58,760 --> 00:12:03,160 Speaker 2: opposition movement that an election, has a longer history of 217 00:12:03,160 --> 00:12:08,040 Speaker 2: democracy that's much more recent and is less utalitarian than 218 00:12:08,120 --> 00:12:12,120 Speaker 2: Cuba or Nicaragua. And so because it's also that the 219 00:12:12,200 --> 00:12:15,880 Speaker 2: cashcow for those regimes even Venezuela can become a free country. 220 00:12:16,559 --> 00:12:19,600 Speaker 2: Cuba will be next, and Nicarago will be next. Not 221 00:12:19,679 --> 00:12:22,960 Speaker 2: because Trump is going to extract the Cuban leader, but 222 00:12:23,040 --> 00:12:27,840 Speaker 2: because Venezuela actually may contribute both financially and militarily to 223 00:12:28,000 --> 00:12:30,880 Speaker 2: overthrow the Cuban regime once it becomes a free country. 224 00:12:31,040 --> 00:12:33,000 Speaker 2: This is something that the position leader has said, by 225 00:12:33,000 --> 00:12:36,920 Speaker 2: the way, Maria Karina Machado herself, that after Venezuela is free, 226 00:12:37,160 --> 00:12:40,920 Speaker 2: she's going to ensure that the free Venezuela helps liberate Cuba. 227 00:12:41,480 --> 00:12:46,920 Speaker 1: Challenging is the path forward for the Trump administration and 228 00:12:47,559 --> 00:12:50,839 Speaker 1: Venezuela to sort of keep things stabilized. 229 00:12:52,280 --> 00:12:57,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, so the look, there's there's gonna be a lot 230 00:12:57,160 --> 00:13:02,520 Speaker 2: of obviously incidents and death that's already happening, and the 231 00:13:02,559 --> 00:13:04,240 Speaker 2: media is going to exaggerate a lot of the things 232 00:13:04,240 --> 00:13:08,480 Speaker 2: that happen if this is successful. But right now the 233 00:13:08,600 --> 00:13:12,520 Speaker 2: regime is still in power, and the biggest challenge ahead 234 00:13:13,000 --> 00:13:15,480 Speaker 2: is getting them to give up. It's getting them yes, 235 00:13:15,480 --> 00:13:17,840 Speaker 2: we're going to organize give free elections, and we're gonna 236 00:13:17,840 --> 00:13:19,840 Speaker 2: give up, and we're gonna go live in a different country. 237 00:13:20,440 --> 00:13:22,840 Speaker 2: One challenge, I'm not sure how challenging. This is for 238 00:13:22,880 --> 00:13:26,560 Speaker 2: the Admin. I don't have privileged information, but you know, 239 00:13:27,120 --> 00:13:30,160 Speaker 2: has another country guaranteed them freedom? Do they have a 240 00:13:30,200 --> 00:13:33,000 Speaker 2: place to go? That's important. We need to give them 241 00:13:33,040 --> 00:13:35,520 Speaker 2: a place to go. Obviously I would prefer to have 242 00:13:35,600 --> 00:13:40,600 Speaker 2: them all arrested or eradicated, but if what Venezuela needs 243 00:13:40,640 --> 00:13:43,600 Speaker 2: to be orderly a free countries that, I'm very happy 244 00:13:43,640 --> 00:13:46,080 Speaker 2: to give them all amnesty. That's step number one. Step 245 00:13:46,160 --> 00:13:49,080 Speaker 2: number two is do they believe their life is threatened 246 00:13:49,120 --> 00:13:51,680 Speaker 2: if they don't leave. I think that after what happened 247 00:13:51,679 --> 00:13:54,680 Speaker 2: this weekend, they do, and if they don't, then the 248 00:13:54,720 --> 00:13:58,199 Speaker 2: president needs to remind them and needs to reminder Number one, 249 00:13:58,200 --> 00:14:00,960 Speaker 2: the CIA is still in Venezuela. How do you think 250 00:14:01,040 --> 00:14:03,280 Speaker 2: they found where Maduro lived? How do you think they 251 00:14:03,320 --> 00:14:06,200 Speaker 2: did all of this? They have people underground the United 252 00:14:06,240 --> 00:14:09,240 Speaker 2: States right now, and I think that and the other 253 00:14:09,320 --> 00:14:13,040 Speaker 2: leaders should be afraid, and if they are, they will comply. 254 00:14:14,080 --> 00:14:18,160 Speaker 1: Well, when he's threatened Rodriguez, do you think she'll heed 255 00:14:18,200 --> 00:14:21,520 Speaker 1: those warnings? I mean, right now, it at least appears 256 00:14:21,560 --> 00:14:23,960 Speaker 1: as if she wants to cooperate with the United States. 257 00:14:24,040 --> 00:14:27,120 Speaker 2: But can that be trusted? Yeah, that's what she's saying, 258 00:14:27,320 --> 00:14:29,880 Speaker 2: I'll tell you that's not what she's telling. Venezuelan's inside 259 00:14:29,920 --> 00:14:32,120 Speaker 2: the country. You might say, well, she's just putting on 260 00:14:32,160 --> 00:14:35,400 Speaker 2: a show for strength, but the show is for who 261 00:14:35,640 --> 00:14:38,320 Speaker 2: because it's not like the Venezuelan people like her, so 262 00:14:38,640 --> 00:14:40,320 Speaker 2: she doesn't have to put in a show for us. 263 00:14:40,400 --> 00:14:42,600 Speaker 2: We all hate her, we don't believe her anyway. So 264 00:14:42,840 --> 00:14:46,840 Speaker 2: I fear that they are just double faced and they're 265 00:14:46,880 --> 00:14:51,640 Speaker 2: trying to persuade some people in Trump administration to let 266 00:14:51,720 --> 00:14:54,960 Speaker 2: them lengthen the transition to live longer. And if that's 267 00:14:55,120 --> 00:14:58,600 Speaker 2: what's happening, I think the Trump administration needs to harden 268 00:14:58,640 --> 00:15:02,480 Speaker 2: the screws on them, tighten them. And one of the 269 00:15:02,520 --> 00:15:05,240 Speaker 2: ways to do that would be, you know, we are 270 00:15:05,280 --> 00:15:07,880 Speaker 2: going to do another strike or we're going to do 271 00:15:07,920 --> 00:15:11,280 Speaker 2: some sort of CIA cover operation inside the country. Uh. 272 00:15:11,320 --> 00:15:13,760 Speaker 2: You know, there are some oil tanks that are trying 273 00:15:13,760 --> 00:15:16,120 Speaker 2: to escape. We need to capture them all and if 274 00:15:16,120 --> 00:15:18,000 Speaker 2: they escape, you know, perhaps we need to sink some 275 00:15:18,040 --> 00:15:21,320 Speaker 2: oil tanks. And that's the situation that needs to happen 276 00:15:21,480 --> 00:15:25,240 Speaker 2: and demonstrate to Delci that we are serious and we 277 00:15:25,320 --> 00:15:26,000 Speaker 2: have the guns. 278 00:15:26,080 --> 00:15:30,280 Speaker 1: You don't, I mean, should delcea be concerned about internal 279 00:15:30,480 --> 00:15:33,280 Speaker 1: opposition to her. I mean, I found it really interesting, 280 00:15:33,360 --> 00:15:35,320 Speaker 1: as you pointed out, and what we've seen reported that 281 00:15:35,800 --> 00:15:39,120 Speaker 1: Cuba says thirty two percent of its combatants were killed 282 00:15:39,240 --> 00:15:42,120 Speaker 1: in the US raid protecting Maduro. I mean to me, 283 00:15:42,200 --> 00:15:47,359 Speaker 1: that would signal that he doesn't trust Venezuelans to protect him. 284 00:15:47,400 --> 00:15:52,520 Speaker 3: Absolutely, the need for Delsi then, so the question is 285 00:15:52,960 --> 00:15:56,520 Speaker 3: maybe Delsi was the one who rided Maduna out right, 286 00:15:57,240 --> 00:16:00,600 Speaker 3: But in which case, if that's the case, then she 287 00:16:00,680 --> 00:16:02,400 Speaker 3: should be scared of other. 288 00:16:02,320 --> 00:16:06,600 Speaker 2: Maduro loyalists, including his own son who's still in Venezuela, 289 00:16:06,680 --> 00:16:09,760 Speaker 2: and he's a powerful person, you know, and there might 290 00:16:09,800 --> 00:16:14,560 Speaker 2: be some internal regime strife. So Trump probably succeeded at 291 00:16:14,600 --> 00:16:18,080 Speaker 2: making the entire regime paranoid of each other on seeing 292 00:16:18,160 --> 00:16:21,920 Speaker 2: who is the liar, right, And that is a very 293 00:16:21,960 --> 00:16:24,560 Speaker 2: good thing. It's I mean, in a way, it's genius, right. 294 00:16:24,600 --> 00:16:28,000 Speaker 2: I mean, it's kind of funny how genius Trump has 295 00:16:28,080 --> 00:16:30,720 Speaker 2: been about this. And Marco Rubyo knows this very very 296 00:16:30,720 --> 00:16:33,840 Speaker 2: well because he has been studying this issue. He knows Chelsea, 297 00:16:34,200 --> 00:16:37,880 Speaker 2: he knows Maduro for more than two decades. Right, So 298 00:16:37,960 --> 00:16:40,120 Speaker 2: we have very smart people in power, and I think 299 00:16:40,160 --> 00:16:43,840 Speaker 2: Americans should know that that this is not being improvised. 300 00:16:46,280 --> 00:16:48,840 Speaker 1: Well then, allo, so you just look at how strategic 301 00:16:48,880 --> 00:16:54,560 Speaker 1: the United States was and how precise and taking out Madurea, 302 00:16:54,800 --> 00:16:58,800 Speaker 1: and you know what message that sends to you know, 303 00:16:58,840 --> 00:17:01,320 Speaker 1: some of these other leaders to to really watch their backs. 304 00:17:01,400 --> 00:17:04,520 Speaker 1: You know, the United States is not messing around, and 305 00:17:04,840 --> 00:17:08,880 Speaker 1: we are still extremely powerful and the leading superpower as well. 306 00:17:10,040 --> 00:17:13,280 Speaker 2: That's exactly right. This is what Trump is doing here 307 00:17:13,400 --> 00:17:15,320 Speaker 2: is part of It's not only going to be helpful 308 00:17:15,359 --> 00:17:17,720 Speaker 2: for the US because of energy, because of crime, because 309 00:17:17,720 --> 00:17:21,840 Speaker 2: of immigration, because of the region. It's also sending a 310 00:17:21,840 --> 00:17:24,840 Speaker 2: signal to China and Russia and Iran, Look what we 311 00:17:24,960 --> 00:17:28,440 Speaker 2: can do. We can do this to you too if 312 00:17:28,480 --> 00:17:32,240 Speaker 2: you try something right, you know what if China invades Taiwan, 313 00:17:32,359 --> 00:17:35,840 Speaker 2: Look what we can do here. What if Russia keeps 314 00:17:35,880 --> 00:17:38,880 Speaker 2: playing games in Ukraine and not come to a piece 315 00:17:38,960 --> 00:17:41,679 Speaker 2: agreement like Trump is pushing for. Right, this is a 316 00:17:41,680 --> 00:17:45,040 Speaker 2: big intimidation tactically spoot and the same as in Iran. Right, 317 00:17:45,359 --> 00:17:47,240 Speaker 2: what if they try to build a new nuclear weapon 318 00:17:47,480 --> 00:17:51,040 Speaker 2: they already bombed their sites. Trump is showing how to 319 00:17:51,119 --> 00:17:56,480 Speaker 2: use American strength without a cost. To America, you. 320 00:17:56,440 --> 00:17:59,160 Speaker 1: Know, and then before we go, have you been surprised 321 00:17:59,359 --> 00:18:03,679 Speaker 1: to see the opposition from Democrat leaders in the country. 322 00:18:03,720 --> 00:18:06,440 Speaker 1: I mean, it was the Biden administration who had previously 323 00:18:06,960 --> 00:18:10,480 Speaker 1: offered twenty five million for information leading to the rest 324 00:18:10,520 --> 00:18:15,679 Speaker 1: of Nicholas Mordureau as well after you know, he you know, 325 00:18:16,320 --> 00:18:19,800 Speaker 1: the fake election in Venezuela. But have you been surprised 326 00:18:19,840 --> 00:18:22,199 Speaker 1: to see the lefts opposition, particularly when so many of 327 00:18:22,200 --> 00:18:25,720 Speaker 1: them have previously supported Austying Amaduro. 328 00:18:26,800 --> 00:18:30,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, you know, on one part of me is not surprised, 329 00:18:31,000 --> 00:18:34,399 Speaker 2: because they're just gonna post everything Trump does. But the 330 00:18:34,400 --> 00:18:36,400 Speaker 2: part of me that is surprised is that the optics 331 00:18:36,440 --> 00:18:40,360 Speaker 2: are very bad electorally for them. Nobody has been negatively 332 00:18:40,400 --> 00:18:42,840 Speaker 2: affected by the action that took place in the weekend, 333 00:18:42,920 --> 00:18:46,639 Speaker 2: only positively affected unless that person is Majuro and you 334 00:18:46,720 --> 00:18:49,640 Speaker 2: are liking hoots with him, right, And that's what they're 335 00:18:49,680 --> 00:18:53,800 Speaker 2: looking like. They're looking like they're standing against the port 336 00:18:53,880 --> 00:18:57,280 Speaker 2: Venezuelan immigrants and in favor. You know, they're saying to 337 00:18:57,440 --> 00:18:59,640 Speaker 2: legal all on all this, but give me a break, 338 00:19:00,000 --> 00:19:03,400 Speaker 2: I'm a bumb with Libya, right, and he actually let 339 00:19:03,520 --> 00:19:07,640 Speaker 2: isis take over. We are doing something with the consent 340 00:19:07,880 --> 00:19:13,720 Speaker 2: of the local population that it's diaspora supports. It's we're 341 00:19:13,840 --> 00:19:18,680 Speaker 2: arresting somebody who's rightfully indicted in US court. Like Trump 342 00:19:18,680 --> 00:19:21,800 Speaker 2: could have killed Maduro and instead he chose to bring 343 00:19:21,880 --> 00:19:25,320 Speaker 2: him to justice. And the United States has a great 344 00:19:25,320 --> 00:19:28,359 Speaker 2: opportunity to dismantle not just the criminal networks they are happening, 345 00:19:28,359 --> 00:19:31,000 Speaker 2: but all the corruption, all the people who collaborated financially 346 00:19:31,040 --> 00:19:33,600 Speaker 2: with the Madua regime in our countries. I think a 347 00:19:33,680 --> 00:19:37,680 Speaker 2: lot of foreign leaders, Columbia's president and the Spanish government, 348 00:19:38,160 --> 00:19:41,560 Speaker 2: people in the Middle East, they are right now very 349 00:19:41,720 --> 00:19:44,760 Speaker 2: very afraid of what the United States may find out, 350 00:19:44,840 --> 00:19:46,360 Speaker 2: and I think that's a great thing, and I'm very 351 00:19:46,359 --> 00:19:47,920 Speaker 2: grateful for what Trump did. 352 00:19:48,359 --> 00:19:53,160 Speaker 1: Interesting, that's a good point, Danosy Martinez, appreciate you bringing 353 00:19:53,200 --> 00:19:56,560 Speaker 1: your expertise to the show. I know it's a great 354 00:19:56,640 --> 00:19:58,800 Speaker 1: day for you and well, I mean for America, but 355 00:19:59,359 --> 00:20:00,800 Speaker 1: for many Venus my lens as well. 356 00:20:00,960 --> 00:20:02,600 Speaker 2: So thank you so much for coming on the show. 357 00:20:03,600 --> 00:20:04,680 Speaker 2: So thanks Lisia. 358 00:20:04,960 --> 00:20:07,800 Speaker 1: That was Daniel di Martino. Appreciate him for coming on 359 00:20:07,840 --> 00:20:10,200 Speaker 1: the show. Appreciate you guys at home for listening every 360 00:20:10,200 --> 00:20:12,879 Speaker 1: Tuesday and Thursday, you can listen throughout the week. Also 361 00:20:12,880 --> 00:20:14,800 Speaker 1: want to thank my producer John Cassier for putting the 362 00:20:14,800 --> 00:20:15,320 Speaker 1: show together. 363 00:20:15,400 --> 00:20:16,160 Speaker 2: Until next time.